Tree planting drive kicks off to save Mount Kilimanjaro

Dar es Salaam. The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF Tanzania), the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (Kinapa), and Tigo have partnered in the tree planting campaign to save the iconic Mount Kilimanjaro against impacts brought by human activities.

The initiative aims to combat deforestation, promote environmental sustainability, and cultivate a greener future for local communities.

The initiative, which commenced in 2021, aims at planting 22,500 tree seedlings in Mbahe-Marangu and Ungwasi-Rombo in the Kilimanjaro conservation area.

The previous three phases saw over 10,000 trees planted in the area, as deforestation poses a significant threat and intensifies the impacts of climate change by increasing carbon emissions in the atmosphere.

The initiative, Tigo Green for Kili Tree Planting, aims to reverse the trend through partnerships with environmental experts and local stakeholders to restore and protect natural habitats.

The Kilimanjaro Regional Commissioner (RC), Mr Nurdin Babu, said the initiative wasn’t just the act of putting trees on the ground but a promise of building a sustainable future for the next generation.

“The initiative teaches societies the significance of upholding environmental protection responsibility,” he said during the event held at Mengeni Kitasha Village.

The WWF conservation manager, Dr Lawrence Mbwambo, said the initiative was important to the region.

“The project is crucial for the conservation of the region’s environment and water sources, which are vital for agriculture, livestock husbandry, and the wildlife that is a major tourist attraction,” he said.

He said the initiative’s goals would extend beyond tree planting to restoring the Ungwasi Water catchment by engaging regional and district administrations, local communities, Kinapa, and the Pangani River Basin.

Tigo deputy northern zone director Daniel Mainoya expressed pride in the collaboration: “With an initial donation of Sh42.5 million, Tigo is committed to preserving Mount Kilimanjaro’s biodiversity and the ecosystem. This project underscores our commitment to corporate social responsibility and environmental stewardship.”

He also noted the broader impact of the initiative, linking it to global efforts to mitigate climate change: “Mount Kilimanjaro has seen a decline in snow cover due to global warming. Illegal logging, forest fires, and unsustainable practices further degrade the environment.”