Minister outlines efforts to save Kilimanjaro snow-cap

The snow-cap at the highest mountain in Africa, Kilimanjaro, is melting drastically, according to various studies conducted on the mountain. The Minister of State in Vice-President’s Office (Environment), Dr Terezya Huvisa, said here on Monday that an Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Fourth Assessment Report (IPCC) of 2007 has proved of melting of the snow at the mountain due to climate change, fuelled by global warming. To curb the situation, she said the mountain has been declared a World Heritage under which various government and donor-funded projects are directed at conserving the environment around the mountain.The Minister made the remarks in a response to a basic question by Rombo Member of Parliament (MP), Mr Joseph Selasini (CHADEMA) who had wanted to know measures taken by the government to address the situation. ''The government of Tanzania in collaboration with NEPAD (New Partnership for Africa's Development) under Global Environment Fund is set to implement US $3 million (about 4.5bn/-) for environment conservation at the mountain and Kilimanjaro region as a whole,'' the minister said. Dr Huvisa noted also that the government will in collaboration with the European Union establish a Climate Change Centre of Excellence to be headquartered in Moshi Town, in Kilimanjaro. ''We are also working to implement a strategy to conserve land and water sources by planting trees in Kilimanjaro Region and countrywide,'' she said. According to the minister, this will include making charcoal and fire-wood users to engage in afforestation and stop harvesting trees from natural forests. She said through the initiative, the government has established a Presidential Award on Environment Conservation to encourage more people to grow trees. The award is presented on World Environment Day which is marked on June 5 every year. It is however presented after every two years. Dr Huvisa mentioned other efforts as pushing developed countries to reduce carbon emissions in the atmosphere. The gases are responsible for the melting of snow at Mount Kilimanjaro and other high mountains in the world.She also urged regional authorities in Kilimanjaro region and legislators from the region to support efforts to conserve the environment around the mountain and in the region.
Daily News,19th July,2011