I write these words with a heart burdened by grief, mourning the burning of Dallo Forest, a place unlike any other in the region. Dallo was not just a forest; it is a rare and irreplaceable ecological jewel, a biodiversity hotspot teeming with life found nowhere else on Earth. Its destruction is not only an environmental tragedy; it is a cultural, scientific, and spiritual loss that touches all who care about nature, heritage, and the fragile future of our planet. Apart from its beautiful landscape and nature, Dallo Forest is unique in its biological richness and ecological significance. It was home to many endemic species (species that existed only in this forest and nowhere else in the world). From specialized forest plants and flowering herbs to rare bird species with restricted ranges, from elusive reptiles that adapted to its cool, shaded understorey to a remarkable variety of invertebrates still largely unstudied by science, Dallo held within it a living archive of evolution and resilience.
For scientists and conservationists, Dallo was a frontier of discovery. Many of its smaller inhabitants, especially insects, spiders, fungi, and other microfauna, remain unnamed, unrecorded, and undocumented, their mysteries likely now lost in the ash. Each of them played a role in the web of life: pollinators, seed dispersers, decomposers, and prey for larger species. Together, they maintained the health of the ecosystem in ways we are only beginning to understand.
This forest was not just unique in its species—it was unique in its structure, altitude, microclimate, and resilience. It stood as one of the last remnants of the montane forest in the area, offering refuge during droughts and regulating local weather patterns. Its canopy held moisture, its roots held soil, and its silence held centuries of untold stories.
To see it destroyed by fire—whether caused by carelessness, neglect, or lack of preparedness—is heartbreaking. Dallo's trees burned quickly, but what we have lost cannot be regrown so easily. The damage stretches beyond the trees to the very foundation of life within and around them. The fire has stripped the land of its cover, displaced wildlife, destroyed delicate habitats, and possibly driven several local species closer to extinction.
But the pain I feel is not just scientific. It is personal, communal, and spiritual. Dallo Forest was a place of memory and meaning. It offered shade to pastoralists, medicine to traditional healers, and inspiration to those who walked its quiet trails. It connected generations to the land, to the rhythm of seasons, and to the knowledge that we are part of something larger and older than ourselves.
The burning of Dallo is more than a local loss, it is a warning to us all. It urges us to rethink how we treat our forests, how we value ecosystems, and how we protect the sacred natural spaces that remain. We must not let this loss pass silently. Let it spark urgent action toward restoration, documentation of what remains, scientific study, and above all, protection.
We may never fully recover what Dallo once held, but we can honor it by refusing to let other forests meet the same fate. Let this be our turning point.
During this tragedy, I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to the brave individuals and local community members, as well as government institutions, who risked their safety to help contain the fire and protect as much of Dallo Forest as possible. Their quick action, courage, and commitment ''despite limited resources" reflect the strength and unity of people who understand the actual value of this land. To the volunteers, elders, youth, and local leaders who responded with urgency and compassion, your efforts did not go unnoticed. Even in loss, your actions offered a glimmer of hope, reminding us that the spirit of stewardship and resilience still burns strong in our communities.
Dr. Hassan Sh Abdirahman Elmi (PhD)
Biodiversity
Phot copywrite: @Suxufi Mahamed Suute and @Engineers Without Borders Somalia
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