Kili glory fading
- Snow cap likely to melt completely
by 2020
Timothy Kitundu & Fatima Bapumia
As the depletion rate of snow atop Mount Kilimanjaro reaches alarming levels and
experts struggle to identify the exact cause of the phenomenon, there seems to
be no remedy in sight to save the majestic snow cap from disappearing.
With different schools of thought, some experts have blamed global warming as
the cause of the problem. Others blame it on the encroachment by human
activities surrounding the mountain. There is also the argument that the
depletion is caused by geothermal processes within the earth’s crust.
A recent study by Lonnie Thomson of Ohio State University indicates that the
snow on Mount Kilimanjaro has shrunk from about 12 square kilometers in 1912 to
about two square kilometers today, an 80 per cent reduction of snow.
Investigations carried out by The Express revealed that if the rate of snow
depletion persists at the same rate, all the snow atop Mount Kilimanjaro will be
gone between 2010 and 2020.
“Geothermal processes such as movement of the plates within the rift system can
lead to the emission of heat within the mountain crust due to the friction
caused by the movement of the plates,” said Dr John Saburi, Senior Lecturer at
the University College of Lands and Architectural Studies (UCLAS).
He further explained that being a volcanic mountain, the Kilimanjaro is also at
the risk of shrinking.
Dr Crispin Kainabo, Senior Lecturer at University of Dar es Salaam, Department
of Geology, explained that apart from the internal processes within the rift
valley whereby the seismic activities are rampant, Mount Kilimanjaro is more
vulnerable to the impact of global warming because of its geographical location
within the tropics.
“Kilimanjaro is in the temperate region; it is more likely to be affected by
global warming compared to the mountains in the poles such as the Alps,” he
said.
Supporting his view, Deodatus Kashasha from the Tanzania Meteorological Agency
(TMA) said that the depletion of snow atop Mount Kilimanjaro was caused by the
global warming phenomenon. The phenomenon itself is said to be a result of
emission of green house gases and it is the industrialised nations that have
been held mainly responsible for this.
Kashasha mentioned the green house gasses which when released in the atmosphere
cause global warming as water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide,
chlorofluorocarbons, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur
hexafluoride.
Dr Mohamed Mhita, the Director General of Tanzania Meteorological Agency, told
The Express that global warming has the same effect on the all the mountains.
However, Mount Kilimanjaro is exposed to a greater risk, that is melting of the
snow, due to human settlement in the region, he explained.
“In the poles, you don’t have people living and human activities can accelerate
emission of heat, which can lead to the melting of the snow,” he said, adding
that the amount of snow atop Mount Kilimanjaro has depleted drastically in the
past ten years.
“In 1990, the snow depth was much thicker than the depth measured in 2002,” he
observed.
The expert also warned that if the snow continues to melt at the same rate,
Mount Kilimanjaro will not be the same by the next decade. “There will be no
beauty again. Our mountain will not look the same,” he declared.
An expert on Geophysics, Dr Issac Marobhe of the University of Dar es Salaam,
argued that geodynamics have negligible impact on the depletion of snow on Mount
Kilimanjaro.
“Snow has been there while the internal process within the crust has been
constant, hence the probable reason for the depletion is due to other climatic
changes,” he said and explained that the climatic changes are external to the
earth’s crust.
Meanwhile, Dr Kainabo told The Express, Mount Kilimanjaro is at the risk of
erupting if the seismic activities cease and the heat within the crust gets
accumulated. “This is a sleeping mountain and it can wake up any time,” he
warned.
He said that the tremors and the earthquakes in the surrounding region
facilitate the pressure to be released rather than building up within the crust,
which can later erupt as either vicious lava or in the form of gas.
“If the lava solidifies, the mountain will have increased in height but if the
lava fumes out, it will be a disaster,” he said, adding that the exact time for
the eruption cannot be predicted.
In his comments, Iasaria Mangalili, Environmental Officer in the Vice
President’s Office (Environment), told The Express that snow depletion was
caused by global warming, which is caused by carbon dioxide emissions, which are
reflected by the sun’s rays upon reaching the earth’s surface.
“This causes the sun’s rays falling on the earth’s surface to have an increased
heat hence causing the glaciers to melt,” he opined.
He, however, said a remedy for the problem was next to impossible as it involved
the use of alternative fuels that do not emit green house gases and to control
human activities.
When contacted by The Express, Director for National Environmental Management
Council (NEMC) Ruzika Muheto admitted that although it falls within their
mandate, NEMC has not done any research on the subject.
“NEMC is worried. Yes, we know that the snow is melting but we have not done any
research because of limited resources,” he said.
Mkapa questions rich nations’
commitment
By Express Reporter
Leaders from nearly 100 countries, including President Benjamin Mkapa, are in
New York to participate in the United Nations annual high-level debate, which
opened on Tuesday, and will run through the end of the month at the UN General
Assembly.
Leaders from around the world are expected to lay out in the coming weeks their
priorities in the international arena.
President Mkapa was one of the Heads of States, who addressed the first day's
morning session. The President began his speech by commenting on the Millennium
Development Goals, regretting the failure of many industrialised countries to
meet the long-established UN target of allocating at least 0.7 per cent of
national income to development cooperation, while praising Denmark, Luxembourg,
the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden for consistently doing so.
“We urge other rich countries to produce timetables to meet this long overdue
target, to have coherent development policies, and to earnestly and deliberately
build and nurture a national consciousness and consensus on the global war on
poverty,” he said, also calling for a fairer process of globalisation that would
close the wealth gap.
He acknowledged the part played by African countries in combating poverty in the
continent, but called upon other countries to show their commitment not just in
words but in actions as well.
He continued by saying: “When both rich and poor countries meet their
obligations, tangible progress is realised. My country is an example. Our
Primary Education Development Programme (PEDP), for instance, has recorded
remarkable progress. We now expect to attain the education goal in 2006. Gender
parity has been attained, and the Net Enrolment Ratio is already 90.1 per cent.
Pass rates have doubled over the last four years. This was made possible by
increased budgetary allocation to the sector, debt relief, increased aid
channelled through our own budget, and local ownership and participation.”
Furthermore, Mkapa stressed that solutions to the continent’s problem have to be
embraced and owned by the Africans themselves. “From our development partners,
we ask for corresponding genuine respect for this ownership, and the policy
space for local initiative and leadership.”
The President also brought up the problems in DRC Congo, Burundi and Western
Sahara and finished his speech by presenting Tanzania’s application for a
non-permanent seat in the Security Council.
The debate opened, by tradition, with an address by the President of Brazil.
President Luis Inácio Lula da Silva appealed for economic and social justice in
a world, where the disparity in per capita income between the richest and
poorest nations is now 16 times greater than it was nearly two decades ago.
President Omar Bongo Ondimba of Gabon also expressed grave concern at these
disparities, calling for a “strong political will” to reach the UN Millennium
Development Goals, which seek to halve extreme poverty and hunger, reduce infant
and maternal mortality and achieve other social goals, all by 2015.
He stressed the need to reinforce the entire UN system to achieve these goals.
“In this great common aspiration Africa is assuming its share of responsibility
more than in the past,” he declared. “A leap in solidarity on the part of the
more privileged countries is more than ever necessary. What is at stake is the
survival of millions people around the world.”
President George W. Bush, who also spoke at the opening debate, called on the
world body to support democracy in Afghanistan and Iraq as part of the global
war on terrorism.
Bush proposed establishing a Democracy Fund within the UN. “This is a great
calling for this great organisation,” he said, pledging an initial US
contribution and urging other nations to donate to the fund, which would help
countries lay the foundations of democracy by instituting the rule of law and
independent courts, a free press, political parties and trade unions.
The 59th session of the General Assembly will be presided over by the Foreign
Minister of Gabon, Jean Ping, who has pledged to work for reform ahead of next
year's sixtieth anniversary.
HEAC warns of bogus
universities
By Kizito Makoye
The Higher Education Accreditation Council (HEAC) has cautioned prospective
students of higher education or beneficiaries of programmes advertised inside
and outside Tanzania of bogus institutions claiming have university status.
The Council’s Executive Secretary, William Sabaya told The Express yesterday
that not all the providers and programmes claiming to be of university level
have been recognized and accredited by the HEAC or similar regulatory bodies in
the concerned countries.
The alert sounded when an increasing number of Tanzanians are becoming attracted
to higher education; seeking the services via both conventional full- and
part-time courses and more unconventional means such as studying on distance,
online, via ICT, satellite and email.
“This is why the HEAC continues to cooperate with equivalent quality assurance
and accreditation bodies for higher education around the world in order to
satisfy itself, on behalf of Tanzanians on credibility and integrity of
institutions,” he said.
Sabaya further said that while the HEAC continues to make efforts to assure
itself of the accreditation status of all providers of higher education,
aspirants are asked to check and assure themselves of the credibility of the
institution or course provider or contact the council for advice.
“In any case a university or higher education institution should prove its
credibility through clear visions, missions and objectives,” Sabaya stressed.
However, he said there is no unregistered institution offering courses in the
country and the Council continues to accredit more institutions.
He insisted that the HEAC would not recognize the studies or qualifications
obtained from providers of higher education in the country or abroad unless they
have been registered and accredited by the HEAC and the National Council for
Technical Education (NACTE).
The Executive Secretary added that the concerned education systems or
institution should be recognized through bilateral arrangement with the
government or through international bodies like UNESCO, International
Association of Universities, Commonwealth Association of Universities or other
recognized regional registers of universities and collages.
Kombe tough on car jacking
By Kizito Makoye
The police in Arusha have promised to reduce the number of car jacking and other
criminal activities in a bid to protect citizens and their properties.
The Arusha Regional Police Commander (RPC), James Kombe told The Express on
Monday that with modern communication equipment and an adequate budget
allocation (a total of Tsh. 139,666,127,500 for the 2004/5 fiscal year), the
police in Arusha have been trying hard to reduce criminal activities, which have
caused havoc to the society.
It is believed that drivers familiar with the Isebania route have transported
motor vehicles, allegedly stolen in Nairobi, into Tanzania. In the opposite
direction, cars stolen from Tanzania have been reported to find their way into
the country with false registration numbers.
The RPC said for the past one month there has only been one incident of car
jacking where a Toyota Rav 4 was stolen in Arusha. In the past these incidents
happened frequently.
The RPC said previously, some cars stolen in Tanzania were sold to Uganda, Kenya
and Burundi once they had been dismantled.
He said most of the criminals are Tanzanians with the temptation of accumulating
wealth through illegal means.
“It is not easy to spot the plots, these are organised criminals whose sources
are hard to get,” he said.
Commenting on recent reports claiming that the criminals have been using illegal
routes for the past one year, Kombe said that the Namanga border is safe and
secure adding that frequent patrols are being conducted, ensuring that the
border is not regarded as a loophole for perpetrators.
Presenting the estimates of income and expenditure for the Ministry of Home
Affairs for 2004/5 in the Parliament, the Minister for Home Affairs, Omar
Ramadhan Mapuri mentioned sources for criminal activities as unemployment, weak
laws, cultural reasons and vengeance.
LHRC wants harmonisation of
laws
By Timothy Kitundu
The Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC) has concluded a study regarding the
killings that occurred in Serengeti National Park in1996 and has called for
harmonisation of the Wildlife Conservation Act of 1974 as well as other pieces
of legislation.
The harmonisation should produce a law that recognizes all interests and gives
out benefits to all stakeholders.
Investigations by the LHRC revealed that the killings had actually taken place
in the park and that some of the killings were reported to the police but no
serious actions were taken.
The LHRC further argues that the community should also be involved in the
conservation process for the interest of the community and the government.
Issues relating to trans-boundary cooperation in conserving wildlife and cross
border cooperation to curb poaching also have to be addressed.
“The act should now make cross reference to international wildlife and natural
resources conventions, treaties and agreements ratified by Tanzania,” the review
stresses.
Regarding the security of women who are usually involved in collecting firewood,
medicinal plants and other activities which have a bearing on conservation of
wildlife and its habitat, the act should make specific reference to gender
disparities at all levels including decision-making.
Sudan counters media reports
By Jacqueline Mujuni
The Tanzanian media has been advised to be careful in following the reports on
the Darfur crisis in Sudan, as most of the reports by the international media
are false propaganda, exaggerating the conflict, according to Sudanese Charge d’
Affairs, Elsadig Omer Abdallah.
The conflict which started last year has seen many Sudanese being internally
displaced due to violations caused by the Janjaweed Arab militia.
Elsadig Omer Abdallah also refuted the report submitted by United States
Secretary of State, Colin Powell that declared the Darfur crisis genocide.
Abdallah who emphasised that the conflict in Darfur is mainly tribal clashes for
land, water and pastureland for cattle said, “The Darfur crisis is not genocide
but it is tribal clashes and the government is working hard to combat it.”
Commenting on the reluctance of the Sudanese government in disarming the
Janjaweed militia, Abdallah agreed that it is not an easy job as most of the
arms are being smuggled by Arabs to the remote Darfur. So far about 200
militiamen have been prosecuted.
The Sudanese government has been given a new 30-day deadline after failing to
comply with the United Nations resolution passed in July hoping to solve the
conflict. The European Commission is pressing for sanctions against the Sudanese
government.
Abdallah strongly opposed an intervention of the US and European Commission by
saying, “The Sudanese government wants the conflict to be solved by the African
Union (AU) and only the government has the right to disarm the militia.”
Speaking on the AU troops sent to Darfur, Abdallah said, “We welcome the troops
as we want them to provide protection for the international monitors who can
carry out their work accordingly.”
The situation is getting worse in the remote area that is rich in copper, oil
and uranium with a population of four million as many of the displaced people
are dying as a result of violence and diseases such as diarrhoea.
Management asked to lead green
campaign
By Sebastian Gabunga, Mwanza
The Management of Mwanza City Council, including functionaries and councillors,
have been asked to play an active role in informing the public on environmental
cleanliness and control of solid waste.
Mwanza Regional Commissioner (RC) Daniel Ole Njoolay when opening a training
course to improve solid waste control threw the challenge.
The 12-day course, which is in progress at Nyakahoja Hall in the City, has been
sponsored by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and incorporates
service providers and other stakeholders in Mwanza.
In his opening speech, read on his behalf by Ilemela District Commissioner,
Javed Chachocha the RC said control of solid waste needs the cooperation between
the public and officials.
Officials in collaboration with Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) together
with Community Based Organizations (CBO) ought to educate the public on how to
control environmental degradation, which in turn is caused by solid waste.
Njoolay directed Mwanza City Council to stop all industrial businesses conducted
in residential areas, to avoid pollution.
He added that buildings constructed in prohibited areas should be demolished.
Similarly, people who are trading randomly in the central areas of the city
should be moved to areas specially allocated for such businesses.
The Acting Director of Mwanza City Council, Emmanuel Kalolbelo reported that a
total of 370 tonnes of solid waste is produced daily in the city at residential
and business areas.
Industries, which are allocated in Mwanza City alone, produce a total of 500
tonnes of solid waste daily, making total production of solid waste reaching 870
tonnes daily in the city.
While solid waste produced at industrial areas is taken care of by industrial
owners, solid waste produced in residential and commercial areas depend on the
public and city service providers for their removal.
16,000 illiterates in Tanga
By Nestory Ngwega, Tanga
More than 16,000 residents in Tanga Municipality are illiterate.
The Tanga Municipal Adult Education officer, Erick Msava in an interview with
The Express revealed this.
He said the numbers of women illiteracies are about 9,165 while 6,835 men do not
have the skills to read and write.
To combat the problem, the municipality have come up with a number of strategies
to increase the number of literates. For example, evening classes in various
schools would commence and teachers have been prepared to take on the job.
Elaborating on reason behind the high number of illiterates, Msava said many
people in the municipality do not consider education as important.
He said many people especially in rural areas ignore education, and involve
themselves in other activities, like fishing from young age.
As a result, parents do not force their children to go to school and thus many
end up without knowing how to read and write.
The authorities are planning to go around in the villages and sensitise parents
about the importance of education. Another measure would be to lay down by-laws,
which would acknowledge anyone preventing children from getting education.
“You know education is a key to development. Due to lack of education many
villagers are poor because they cannot use their resources to bring about
development by themselves,” he pointed out.
MPC establishes information
centre
By Sebastian Gabunga, Mwanza
Mwanza Press Club (MPC) in Mwanza Region is expecting to establish an
information centre, as part of its strategy of improving its services to the
community and its members.
The Club’s Chairman Abubakar Karsan said, together with others, things the
information centre would include a radio station, which will create revenue for
the centre that will help it stay self-reliant and avoid depending on donations.
Other strategies that will be presented at the Annual Congress, he said, include
conducting various courses for members on writing investigative stories,
business news and feature stories, together with financial leadership training
and how to run planned projects.
“All these strategies are calculated to be implemented in from 2005-2007,”
Karsan emphasised.
In addition to discussing the presented proposals, he added, the Congress will
receive and discuss reports of activities undertaken by Mwanza Press Club for
the year 2003, including problems and achievements recorded by the Club.
Busha sufferers offered
operation
By Nestory Ngwega, Tanga
Tanga Municipality has allocated about Tsh. one million in this year’s budget to
help people with filariasis (mabusha).
Speaking to The Express, the Deputy Mayor of Tanga Municipality, Mzamin Shemdoe
said that the money would be used to help people have surgery.
An operation costs between Tsh. 15,000 and 20,000.
Health workers have been introduced to the programme and will report the number
of patients seeking operations before the Municipal releases the money.
“We want people to have the operation to free them from the problem. This is our
plan; we will also help patients with other problems who cannot afford
hospitals’ treatment costs,” Shemdoe said.
He commented on the perception that some people do not want to have an
operation, thinking that having filariasis was a sign of respect, popularly
known as umwinyi, by saying:
“We have two groups of people. One consists of a few men who have money but do
not want to remove mabusha for reasons of umwinyi and another group of men who
suffer from mabusha but have no money to go to hospital for operation.”
Shemdoe wanted people to realise that filariasis is a disease and has nothing to
do with umwinyi.
Company enlightens
stakeholders on cosmetics
By Kabele Lazaro, Mwanza
GNLD, a company manufacturing lotions from natural plants in the Lake Zone
regions, intends to educate business people and sellers on cosmetics made from
chemicals on the side effects of products on plaited hair and their use in
general.
The statement was made by GNLD Director, Lake Zone, Quinenga Mbukwa, when
closing an orientation course held in Mwanza City recently, and attended by more
than 100 company members.
Mbukwa said GNLD supports the government’s proclamation of banning the use of
some cosmetics.
According to Mbukwa, many consumers do not know the side effects of chemical
cooling lotions which the government has prohibited. Few are aware that lotions
manufactured in factories using natural plants can also beautify their skins or
be used in plaiting hair.
Kagera residents live on Tsh.
260 per day
By Sebastian Gabunga, Bukoba
It has been revealed that about 31 per cent of the residents so of the 375,000
households in Kagera Region, live on Tsh. 260 per day.
This information is contained in a research report conducted by EDI Company that
deals with research on economic development (EDI) in Kagera Region.
The Director of EDI Company Dr. Joachim De Weerdt said in his report that, the
research was conducted last year and the findings were announced in April this
year.
A total of 450 households were approached by researchers in every district of
the region making a total of households visited by researchers reaching 2,500.
The research, he said, indicates that a large percentage of people still live
under the poverty line, especially those living in rural areas. This indicates
that they need assistance.
‘Avoid using UVCCM for
personal gains’
Sebastian Gabunga, Mwanza
The National Chairman of Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM) Youth League (UVCCM) Dr.
Emmanuel Nchimbi has said, the Youth League will not tolerate any leader from
the party or government who wants to use UVCCM for personal benefits.
Dr. Nchimbi gave this stern warning last week during the closing ceremony of
Youth League camps in Busega Constituency, Magu District, which were held at
Kabita Village.
There are leaders in CCM, he said, who use CCM youths for their personal
advantages rather than furthering the interests of CCM.
Often such leaders show great respect to youths in the run-up to elections in
order to gain votes, he said. They make decisions on youth activities, without
following the Constitution regulations and UVCCM procedures.
After discovering these weaknesses, the UVCCM National Executive Council, has
appointed district commanders from the Youth League to make a valuation, if the
intending party commanders have the qualifications to hold the posts they aspire
to.