The Mambilla plateau is
one of the natural tourist attractions with which the Taraba people are
blessed, and prides itself on being the nature’s gift to the nation. It is
located at Gembu in Sardauna local government area of the state.
The Mambilla plateau is a
highly grass land plateau with an average elevation of about 1,524 metres
(5,000 ft.) above the sea level, making it the highest plateau in Nigeria.
Tourism provides for cultural pride, greater awareness of natural environmental
endowment and its economic values, a sense of ownership and reduction in
vulnerability of the poor through income diversification. Today, tourism is
seen as a goldmine which any nation, state or community endowed with such
natural attraction can generate abundant foreign and direct income every year.
The world tourism day is
celebrated on the Mambilla plateau on 28th September of every year.
The people in the area use the occasion to showcase some of the rich cultural
heritage and eco tourism potential of the state. Government officials and
politicians in the state are invited and long speeches and promises are made.
The Mambilla plateau has a
distinct amiable climate with its temperature element making it a prime
destination for lovers of mild weather. The Mambilla plateau has variously been
described as the little Europe in Nigeria. It is no wonder that many high
profile individuals in the country have acquired properties on the plateau. The
plateau is a resource frontier zone filled with abundant natural resources such
as agricultural crops, diverse mineral resources, wildlife, beautiful scenery
and lots more that far outweigh many other plateau in the country. Unlike Obudu
plateau, the Mambilla plateau has far more land area and many towns that are
developed. It has been referred to by many as the mountain of death; this is
solely because of the height and steep nature of the slope.
The immediate past
President, Goodluck Jonathan during his administration pledged to build a
presidential resort on the Mambilla plateau to serve as holiday camp for
African presidents, mirroring Camp David in the United State if re-elected.
Mambilla plateau is located on a high altitude making it one of the coolest points
in the country. The President said, when the holiday camp is completed, the
project would generate 3050 mega watts of electricity, provide water for
irrigation and create job opportunities for the residents of the area.
The Mambilla plateau has
one of the best weather conditions in the country which is cool and always
accommodating all year round, unlike
other parts of the country where there are temperature extremes during the day
and night. The Mambilla plateau is free of mosquitoes and tsetse flies. Daytime
temperature hardly exceed 25ᵒC, the driest months are
from late November until early march with relative humidity dropping to about
15% while the wet season usually starts at its peak from August. The Mambilla
plateau is inhabited by five major ethnic groups with different cultural
heritage. These ethnic groups are Mambilla, kaka, Fulani, Panso and kambu. Just
as the weather is accommodating so are the people of the Mambilla plateau,
welcoming and so hospitable. The Mambilla language is a combination of
different dialects and related languages. The journey to Mambilla starts on a
snake-like road from the foot of the mountain to the top, about 25 to 30
minutes drive where you start savouring the beauty of the plateau. It has a lot
of scenic views to behold, which while watching the mountain chain and the
curvaceous valleys you will have a breath of fresh air that is uncommon in many
other parts of Nigeria.
The major tourist
attraction sites on the plateau are the mountain chain, the plain green view
and a magnificent water fall. Then there is the historic site, the famous cave
in mbamnga Ndumyaji. There is the rock with a giant foot print of an ancient
warrior at kabri, the rock with a horse foot print at Hienary, the historic
site of the ancient blacksmith that existed before the modern one at Killa
Yang. There is also the historic rock of the Mbar people that looks like a
woman and her daughter. The Mambilla plateau is richly blessed with fertile
land and various crops grow well there. Livestock such as cow, goat, sheep and
other rare birds thrive on the plateau. There are also natural forest like the
Ngel Yaki mountain forest and the Ndum-Yaji forest that are home to very rare
species of birds and trees which have attracted lots of researchers from around
the world. Due to the remote location and the undulating nature of the plateau
and lack of properly tarred roads which are still under construction, the use
of utility vehicles are recommended and visitors should make sure that
essential camping equipment and food are included in their journey list to
achieve maximum comfort and sightseeing adventure.
By: Mercy Kukah
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