Subtitle: Oromiya President Sheik Hassan Ali’s inaugural visit to Baale underscores a commitment to its natural and cultural heritage.

BAALE, OROMIYA – In a move symbolizing both connection and commitment, the inaugural President of the Oromiya Regional Government, Mr. Sheik Hassan Ali, chose the landscapes of Baale for one of his first official visits. The focus of his tour was a profound engagement with the region’s most iconic natural treasures: Mount Tulluu Diimtuu and the sacred waters of Bishaan Gurraacha, both core components of the Baale Mountains National Park.

The visit was more than a ceremonial stop. It was a strategic statement. By physically standing at the foot of Tulluu Diimtuu and observing the serene flow of Bishaan Gurraacha, President Sheik Hassan Ali placed the stewardship of Oromiya’s environmental heritage and the wellbeing of its communities at the forefront of his administration’s agenda.

“This visit by our first President is a powerful signal,” said local guide and community representative, Abebe Dida. “These are not just tourist sites for us. Tulluu Diimtuu is our fortress and our sanctuary. Bishaan Gurraacha is life and history flowing. To see our highest leader come here to witness them firsthand gives us hope that their protection and sustainable development will be a priority.”

The Baale Mountains National Park is a biodiversity hotspot of global significance, home to endemic species and ancient ecosystems. Tulluu Diimtuu, with its commanding presence, and Bishaan Gurraacha, a site of deep cultural and spiritual significance, represent the intertwined natural and cultural identity of the Oromo people in the region.

The presidential tour is expected to catalyze several key initiatives:

• Strengthened Conservation: Renewed efforts to protect the park’s fragile ecology from deforestation, land degradation, and unsustainable practices.
• Community-Centric Tourism: Developing a sustainable tourism model that benefits local communities directly, preserving cultural integrity while creating economic opportunities.
• Infrastructure for Preservation: Potential investment in the careful infrastructure needed to allow both citizens and visitors to experience these wonders responsibly, without harming the environment.

In pausing to behold the majesty of Tulluu Diimtuu and the serenity of Bishaan Gurraacha, President Sheik Hassan Ali did more than survey a landscape. He acknowledged a legacy. His presence reaffirmed a pact between the new regional government and the land itself—a promise to honor, protect, and wisely shepherd these crown jewels of Oromiya for generations to come. The true work begins now, transforming the symbolism of the visit into lasting policy and tangible guardianship.