Exploring the Past and the Present: Examining Preservation, Management and Resistance practices in the Simien Mountains National Park, Ethiopia

Simien Mountains National Park (SMNP), Ethiopia, has demonstrated resilience in biodiversity conservation despite persistent human pressures. The park was removed from UNESCO's 'red list' in 2017 due to significant conservation efforts, yet threats like intensive grazing and farmland expansion continue to challenge sustainability. Research reveals a long-standing reciprocity between local communities and the environment, where societal needs—such as food, shelter, and clothing—are met through sustainable resource use, which in turn supports biodiversity. The study employed qualitative methods, including in-depth interviews and archival analysis, to explore this dynamic relationship across historical and contemporary contexts. It highlights how technological and structural changes in society have altered but not severed the connection between people and nature, offering insights into balancing conservation with community livelihoods.

Girmay, M., Teshome, E., & Yoseph, D. (2023). Exploring the Past and the Present: Examining Preservation, Management and Resistance practices in the Simien Mountains National Park, Ethiopia. Ethiopian Renaissance Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 10(2), 73–94. https://doi.org/10.4314/erjssh.v10i2.5