HADZABE FACE SEVERE HUNGER

A Hadzabe community living in a remote Eyasi valley in Karatu district, Arusha region is facing a serious food crisis, frightening the survival of a rare ethnic group.

An indigenous hunter-gatherers community depends on wild fruits; roots, honey and wild meats as its staple food, but farming, tree felling for charcoal and mining activities in Eyasi valley have robbed them natural forestry, a key source for their foodstuff

Now the hadzabe says that the situation has worsened food insecurity in the community as sometimes they go to bed up to three days without eating.

The hadzabe  boma leader Kankono Mkanga said that the farmers and miners have reduced their forestry, keeping the fruits and wild animals out of their reach.

“We are close to starving because no one is care about our situation. We normally used to get food aid from various churches and tourists but this year we haven’t seen anyone” says Kankono

According to a hadzabe woman Ngake Mtawona ,their ancestors land alienation by farmers, miners and livestock keepers has reduced the community to a permanent beggar.

"We are starving, all the animals have disappeared and we Hadzabe only feed on meat."  an old man who was making arrows from sticks explained through an interpreter. His wife, Ntale Nzale was keeping a tin of maize flour in their grass hut

She explained that at the moment they are forced to go begging as far as Mang’ola barazani and  Endamaga villages where they end up getting onions, which do not constitute their traditional foodstuff.

“So we are compelled to eat onions as a staple food rather than dying of hunger. We call upon government and any other well wishers to come up and rescue our community from being perished of famine” she noted. 

Eyasi Division officer, Laanyun Ole Supuk admitted that the hadzabe population  is under threat due to food insecurity, appealing to the government to supply the community with emergency food as soon as possible.

Supuuk said that the major problem of Hadzabe is their traditional lifestyle, which does not encourage keeping food stock.

“I think if they get eighty tones of maize it will help the until the high tourism season starts few weeks, normaly when tourists visits them they donate some money for their survival “Supuk  added.

 The Hadzabe, who live in small groups are believed to be less than 1,500 in total in Tanzania. This unique community is the closest cultural relative to the San Bushmen of the Kalahari in Botswana.

Naftal Zengu Kitandu, 58, a Hadzabe and Eshkesh  Ward civic leader, said the Hadzabe bush people's population has dwindled from 5,000 in 1990s to as few as 1,500 this time around.

"Invasion by other tribes from Mwanza, Karatu and Shinyanga who bring along herds of cattle and introduce farming in the valley has been threatening the survival of Hadza people who only depend on fruits, roots, honey and small animals for survival," Mr. Kitandu explained.

 Aliens' invasion, according to the Mongo-wa-Mono Ward representative, Mr. Bryson Magombe, has been destructive to the environment leading to the disappearance of most wild animal species, natural vegetation and water sources thus endangering the lives of the Hadza.

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CA, URGED TO MAINTAIN ENVIRONMENT ARTICLE IN THE DRAFT CONSTITUTION

Members of the constituent assembly have been urged not to strike out the provision on the right to a clean, safe and healthy environment.

Elifuraha Laltaika, an environmental law lecturer at Tumaini University Makumira said this over the weekend during a public lecture on the link between human rights and the environment organized the University’s Law Faculty.

“The constitutional provision will ensure highest protection of the environmental rights including the right to  sustainably use the country’s natural resources from being undermined by ordinary legislation.”  said Mr. Laltaika who is also advocate of the high court.

The draft constitution, which was unveiled by the constitutional review commission and tabled before the constituent assembly, contains the right to a healthy and clean environment in the bill of rights.

According to Advocate Laltaika, the provision places Tanzania in a list of progressive countries that have given sustainable economic development and environmental protection the highest legal recognition.

He further said that article 41 of the draft constitution provides in part that everyone living in Tanzania has a right to live in a clean, safe and healthy environment. 

In his keynote presentation, Professor John Bonine from the University of Oregon in the USA outlined the integral connection between human rights and the environment indicating that in the last forty years, more than half of the world’s nations have recognized the constitutional right to a healthy environment.

 “The landmark Stockholm Declaration of 1972 was very significant as it inspired countries to include environmental rights in their supreme laws.” Said Professor Bonine.

He argued that by incorporating the right to a clean and healthy environment in the constitution, national governments show their highest and collective commitment to sustainable development.

Commenting on the role of courts in developing progressive jurisprudence, the renowned international environmental law expert revealed courts in 12 countries have interpreted the right to life and health to include the right to live in a clean and safe environment. 

“High courts in 12 nations have ruled that the right to a healthy and clean environment is implicit in the constitutional right to life and health.” Said professor Bonine adding, “In an even more encouraging move, ninety-two nations have explicitly incorporated the right into their constitutions.”

 Professor Bonine, co-founder of Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide (ELAW), an NGO with members from 80 countries including Tanzania is visiting the University’s Law Faculty to deliver public lectures and inspire public interest lecturers and legal practitioners.

He is a member of the Commission on Environmental Law of the World Conservation Union and an elected member of the International Council of Environmental Lawyers.

His latest publication “Human rights and the environment” is used as a textbook in numerous law schools in the USA including the University of Oregon where he has been teaching Human rights and the environment for the last 45 years.

The University’s Faculty of Law occasionally invites prominent scholars to speak on diverse thematic issues relevant to the promotion and protection of human rights and the environment. Previous visiting scholars included his Lordship Gerard Niyungeko, the then President of the African Court on Human and Peoples Rights (ACHPR).

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POACHING IN EAST AFRICAN COUNTRIES IS MORE THAN WHAT STATISTICS SHOW

Dr.Paula (right)briefing journalists at the press conference from left is Cyril Akko the CEO TATO

Elephant poaching might be an even bigger problem than the East African governments think, a world-renowned wildlife activist has warned.

Dr. Paula Kahumbu, executive director of the Kenya Land Conservation Trust and Wildlife Direct, says the seizure on June 5th of more than 200 elephant tusks in a motor vehicle warehouse in Mombasa was a rude, but necessary awakening for Tanzania and Kenya.

“Look at the official statistics where Kenya says it loses only 365 elephants whereas Tanzania loses 10,000 jumbos a year. To me this is a tip on an iceberg, poaching could be bigger than what we are told” Dr. Kahumbu told media during the EA Premier Karibu Travel Market Tanzania 2014.

The Tanzania Associations of Tour Operators (TATO) owned Karibu TMT, the second largest tourism show in natural resource-rich-continent of Africa after Indaba in South Africa, is registered with the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

The theme of this year’s show taking place at the Heron Recreation Center near Arusha airport is ‘Sustainable Conservation’ which is reflection of TATO’s ‘foreign policy’ existing for the last three decades.

Dr. Kahumbu was invited to Karibu TMT in a bid to share her vast experience on conservation and the campaign against elephant poaching in Kenya with Tanzania tourism stakeholders, mainly TATO members.

TATO has also been focusing on wildlife conservation and security as the area of grave concern apart from its other mainstream roles. 

Dr. Kahumbu told international and local media on Friday that Mombasa seizure does not only exposes the magnitude of the problem, but also this huge haul, following a tipoff to local police authorities, confirms Mombasa’s pivotal role as a transit point for smuggling ivory out of Africa.

“The photographs show some gigantic tusks, undoubtedly from Kenya’s greatest tuskers. One enormous tusk in particular stood out; it can surely be linked to an individual elephant” she noted.

These can only have come from killing fields in Kenya’s flagship National Parks, like Tsavo, Marsabit, Samburu and Masai Mara, Dr. Kahumbu said, adding that the last refuges for these magnificent animals are no longer safe havens, and are under siege by increasingly well-armed and equipped poachers.

Lately, TATO has been in the forefront of lots of conservation initiatives, specifically the provision of education and leading relevant discussion forums on sustainable conservation and wildlife security of which the Karibu TMT has also acted as one of the forums.

Karibu TMT which took off on Friday also will include among others:  Music Concert with Tanzanian poet and storyteller Mrisho Mpoto presenting his hit song ‘Deni La Hisani’ (A Debt of Courtesy), a public call to action to end poaching in Tanzania – today (Sunday), 8^th June.

Chairperson of the Karibu TMT organizing committee, Vesna Glamocanin Tibaijuka says that Dr. Kahumbu was invited to share her valuable experience on a Community based conservation where she has been successful in projects of mitigating human-wildlife conflict in East Africa.

“More importantly:  there will be a launch of TATO anti-poaching Song as well as Children and Conservation where educational short DVDs Nature for Kids will be introduced at the kids corner” Mrs Tibaijuka noted.

This year’s fair attracted more than 8000 visitors from EAC partner states, South Africa, China, the US, and Europe.

In fact, Karibu TMT has become ‘the place to meet’ for the region’s travel industry partners with others from around the world.

TATO Chairman, Willy Chambullo said that should the current generation fail in battle against poaching the next generation will have no elephant to show.

“We need to join hands together to rescue elephants from being decimated by poachers. We need these animals to remain for the future generations to appreciate like our ancestors did for us” Mr Chambullo explained.

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TOURISTS DONATE 1,000 BIKE TO PUPILS FROM REMOTE AREAS IN NORTHERN TANZANIA

Pupils with smile ,each with a bike

sponsors Naomi and Mark 

OVER 1,000 pupils from remote areas in various primary schools of Arusha region now have a reason to smile, thanks to American tourist for providing bikes as a means of transport to help them to attend school.

According to Grand circle Foundation Project Manager; Ms Sandra Vaughan the tourist Naomi Hughes has donated a total of 1077 bicycles worth $100,000 (Tsh 164 million) to several primary schools in northern Tanzania.

The Hughes are founders of Pets Providing Pedals program, where dog groomer Naomi grooms dogs in the USA, and raises funds all year round to supply bikes to children in Tanzania.

Tarangire, Ayatale, Rhotia and Bashay primary schools are the key beneficiaries of Naomi’s donations.   Other institutions benefited include Plaster house and Rift Valley Children centres.

Mark and Naomi Hughes are traveling through Tanzania on their 10th Overseas Adventure Trip facilitating their bike program.

The tourist is also built a primary school, provided textbooks, school desks, water tanks, solar lights, trees, and stationary supplies worth Tsh 1.3 billion.

Speaking at the official ceremony to thank Naomi, Mayor of Arusha City His lordship Gaudence Lyimo hailed efforts done by the Hughes family to save children from walking 10km a day to schools.

“Pets Providing Pedals reached an amazing milestone this year. Remember it is one person grooming dogs and fund raising, Naomi” Ms Sandra says.

In 2011, Naomi distributed 201 bikes, while in 2012 she provided another 250.   Way back in 2013, she donated 300 bikes and this year another great donations of 280 bikes. 

On Monday, Naomi together with his husband, Mark Hughes was in Tloma primary school in Karatu to offer yet another 280 bicycles, culminating a grand total of 1,077 cycles.

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UNIVERSITY ENROLLMENT IN EAST AFRICAN COUNTRIE TOO LOW

University enrollment in East African countries is considered too low despite their joint population of over 130 million residents.

A study conducted by the Inter-University Council of East the   East African revealed that member states have only managed to place 1.7 million students to higher institutions of learning.

 “So far we have 173 universities in Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi and Tanzania, but according to our recent research on tertiary education in the region, results indicate that it is only about 6.4 percent of the East African population access highest levels of education,” explained Prof Mayunga Nkunya the Executive Secretary for the Inter-University Council of East Africa.

Prof Nkunya was speaking during the  4th East African Higher Education Quality Assurance Network Forum, organized by the IUCEA with support from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), under the theme of ‘Creating a quality assurance culture in the East African Higher Education Area,’ focusing on practices, challenges and prospects.

The IUCEA executive pointed out that the five East African Member states are yet to reach the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Education (UNESCO)’s higher education enrolment standard of 10 percent of a
specific population.

It has also been discovered that although Tanzania with 50 universities, has the biggest number of higher learning institutions in East Africa, the country fell behind Kenya (with only 37%) and which tops the bill in the region, as far as the students’ penetration into tertiary education level is concerned.

While Kenya leads with 7 percent enrollment, it has been observed that many students (accounting to around 25 percent) later drop from universities in the country due to the institutions’ skyrocketing fees, the highest in the
region.

Uganda which also has higher University enrollment, was described to be the regional education mecca, because many students from other countries in the region go to study there; “And while the number in Ugandan institutions may seem high, the majority of scholars are actually foreign students,” explained Dr Warda Rajab the Director of Research at the Islamic University of Uganda.

As far as Rwanda is concerned however the 1994 genocide in which about a Million people  were killed, negatively also affected the education system in the country but rising from the ashes, Kigali has managed to jump from the
formerly single ‘National University of Rwanda’ with just 2500 students to the current 22 universities boasting over 85,000 student.

“And at the moment we are rapidly adopting to English as the main medium of instruction having moved from the past when we used to apply two languages; French and English. We find the later to be best being an international means of communication, but are keeping the former simply as independent subject,” explained Dr Baguma Abdallah the Director of Academic Quality at the Higher Education Council of Rwanda.

Ends..

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TANZANIAN PRESIDENT JAKAYA KIKWETE DIRECTS THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND TZ MEDICAL STORES TO SUPPLY DIAGNOSTIC GEARS TO CURB DENGUE FEVER

President Jakaya Kikwete have appealed  to the ministry of health and Tanzania Medical stores  board (MSD)to supply diagnostic equipments  to all health centers in the country to curb the spread of  the mosquito-borne tropical disease caused by the dengue virus.

President Kikwete made the call in Arusha when he was officially addressing nurses and heath practioners gathered here to mark the worlds nursing day.

Kikwete also told the public to report to hospitals any time they feel any sense of malaria fever so that they can be properly diagnosed and well treated if found infected by the deadly virus.

He said the disease is now  pose a big threat to the country’s population  health since its outbreak in the year 2010 to date where two people are reported dead and 369 infected.

"There is a tendency of people to go to pharmacies and buy ant malaria need to visit the hospital for check up and proper medication “He said.  

He said  dengue fever symptoms  includes sudden high fever, severe headaches pain behind the eyes severe joint and muscle pain  Nausea Vomiting  Skin rash, which appears three to four days after the onset of fever Mild bleeding (such a nose and  bleeding gums  

“Sometimes symptoms are mild and can be mistaken for those of the flu or another viral.

Younger children and people who have never had the infection before tend to have milder cases than older children and adults”Kikwete said

He noted that  Kinondoni District in Dare salaam is leading in terms of infected figures where 322 people are reported to have infected by the  killer virus, followed by Ilala District with 61 victims and Temeke with  16.

  
He said there is fewer equipment to diagnose the virus therefore they should be supplied immediately to fight the plague.

In regards to the call from heath works who asked the government to provide housing and better working environment, the president assured them that it will take their demands into high consideration.

 He argued them to equip themselves academically to get more knowledge in their noble profession to save lives and fight diseases

In his part the deputy minister  for health and social welfare Dr, Stephen Kebwe, said the ministry has made remarkable progress in maternal heath and reproductive health education.

“Statistcs   from  the year  2010 to 2013   show that ninety six percent of women  and ninety seven  percent of men are aware  of  the subject “He said

 
He pointed out other success  are  the reduction of mortality rate for children under five years which had decreased from 165 deaths from 1990 to 54 death in the year  2013.

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EU AND EAC JOIN FORCE TO IMPROVE MARITME SECURITY

The  European Union delegation and the east African community has signed a cooperation programme totaling 2.3milion EURO to improve maritime security aimed at contributing to global security and creating a favorable environment for the economic development in the Region.

Speaking during the signing ceremony at the East African headquarters in Arusha on Wednesday   ambassador of the European Union and the East African Community Ambassador Filbert Sebregondi said the programme will provide support to fight maritime crime in the Indian Ocean.

He said the programme will facilitate serious threats that can undermine peace and stability, cases of piracy, drugs, arms smuggling, human trafficking and illegal fishing.

“This  programme is part of a 37 .5 Million EURO package to four regional organization of east and southern Africa (EAC,COMESA,IGAD and IOC) and is aiming to strength the capacities of the four regional organizations to implement regional strategy and action plan against piracy and for maritime security they adopted 2010”He said.

He noted that the programme will also ensure coordination with another EU continental programme called “Critical Maritime Routes “and with further activities related to maritime information sharing system and networking. 

“It will also look at activities related to financial flows  and have to be coordinated with   law  enforcement in East Africa  project which focuses on effective investigation on piracy organizers and financers.

Speaking on behalf of the Secretary General of the East African Community, Deputy Secretary General in charge of finance and administration Jean Jean Claude Nsengiyumva applauded the engagement with the European Union in mobilizing resources geared towards uplifting the standard of living of the citizens in the region. 

He reiterated that EAC greatly values the strategic cooperation with the EU and regards it as one of its key strategic partners. He assured the European Union of its highest consideration.

In his presentation, InfoTech Investment Group Ltd Chief Executive Officer, Alli Mfuruki commended European Union for its commitment to work with other organizations to achieve a common goal.

 “Sometimes we seem to forget why we have united our countries, we need to remember the objectives of our union”    He said.

He said East African countries should not compete among themselves but rather they should unite and compete with the rest of the World’s economic powers “He said.

Earlier at the EAC headquarters, representatives from the civil society organizations and the private sector joined EU and EAC staff in a round table discussion on the Business Environment in East Africa as part of the EU-EAC week.

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DR. MENGI WARN OF RAMPANT CORRUPTION HAMPERING PRIVATE SECTOR

Dr Reginald Mengi, Tanzania Private Sector Foundation (TPSF) Chairman

Rampant corruption across East Africa is hampering development of the private sector limiting its effective contribution to the region’s socio-economic growth.

Tanzania Private Sector Foundation (TPSF) Chairman, Dr Reginald Mengi made the remark yesterday at the East African Community Headquarters where the European Union Week 2014 is being observed.

He said corruption must be combated at the international level through imposition of sanctions on all international companies found guilty of the practice and manipulation of African leaders in their companies’ interests.

“We hear Africans are corrupt but the question remains, what about international companies which give bribes so as to be favoured in investment projects on the continent? They too should be punished,” he said.

“Double standards mustn’t be allowed to dominate this matter," he emphasized, noting that if the matter is not dealt with seriously, the gap between the poor and the rich will inevitably grow wider.

Dr Mengi also warned that without peace and stability, local and foreign investment will be gravely affected and therefore all governments in the region must take concrete steps to ensure peace and stability are maintained, he urged.

“You can have all it takes to run any business, but I assure you that if there is no peace and stability you cannot invest your money when there is no security,” said the renowned philanthropist.

Dr. Mengi went on to bid for private sector involvement in the gas and oil sector and the alternative energy industry in general saying with private sector involvement the citizens will directly benefit from the resources.
He said if East African states are to escape the ‘oil and gas curse’ the bloc must put in place a citizen-friendly policy framework.

“Much as we encourage foreign investment, there still is very high demand for private sector participation,” noted Dr. Mengi.

The Chairman of the East African Business Council (EABC), Felix Mosha, said despite challenges in the regional trade bloc, business growth has shot up from 14 percent to 23 percent which he attributed to the one stop border posts scheme and business infrastructure improvement. 

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POOR SANITATION CLAIMS 30.000 LIVES IN TANZANIA YEARLY

Participants of the crucial workshop to scale hygiene and sanitation  

Tanzania has embarked on a national sanitation campaign to grapple with diarrheal and other waterborne diseases compounded by a poor hygiene.

About 30,000 Tanzanians die of diarrheal and other diseases attributed to unsafe water supply and poor sanitation and hygiene practices.

Barely 20 per cent of households have access to improved sanitation and 12 per cent are known to practice open defecation countrywide, according to the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Mr Charles Pallangyo.

Mr Pallangyo was officiating at an International Workshop on Scaling up Rural Sanitation and Hygiene jointly organized by SNV Netherlands Development Organisation and the ministry.

He said the campaign, which was launched last year, primarily focused on rural and peri-urban areas where coverage was extremely low.

The permanent secretary said statistics indicated that 42 per cent of children in the country, equivalent to four Million of them, were stunted.

“These figures are not only intimidating, but also call for concerted efforts to reverse them. I am confident enough that once improved, sanitation and hygiene will significantly reduce the rate of children suffering from stunted growth,” he said.

Studies, he said, show that improved sanitation could reduce diarrheal cases by up to 32 per cent and that a mere hand washing using soap can cut down those cases by 42 per cent.

“The country, for instance, has just in 12 months of the campaign witnessed a promising change of behavior and a tremendous increase of 280,000 improved toilets and 190,000 functional hand washing points at households level,” he observed.

Twenty five per cent of the newly improved water points are already operational -- barely two years after they were constructed.

The achievement notwithstanding, over half of the rural population still lacked access to clean water, said Mr Pallangyo, stressing that he believed the trend could be reversed if the construction of water supply infrastructure is given due priority.

Lack of clean and safe water as well as poor hygiene significantly hampers the performance in the educational sector, according to the SNV online report.

In 2011, only 9 per cent of schools countrywide were furnished with clean toilets and only 11 of schools had latrines sufficient enough to serve all pupils.

Forty five per cent of schools compounds were not supplied with clean water and only 14 per cent of them had hand-washing facilities, putting girls, in particular, in a precarious situation.

SNV’s support mainly focuses water supply and sanitation facilities in rural communities and in schools. “We work with local government and communities to jointly improve rural and school water points, sanitation and hygiene facilities,” Mr. Martijn Veen, Acting Director SNV Tanzania said.

Mr. Martijn Veen said SNV also supported ministries of respective nations in formulating and harmonizing effective approaches for interacting with local authorities.

“We also support communities and local governments to establish mutual accountability relations for quality and reliable service delivery,” Mr. Martijn Veen said.

The workshop attracted 45 participants, all working on rural sanitation and hygiene in Nepal, Ghana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique and the host, Tanzania.

In attendance also were professionals from other development organisations and government, collaboration with SNV in the above countries.

The four-day workshop is part of the learning activities of SNV’s Sustainable Sanitation and Hygiene for All Programme. The learning activities are not limited to the programme, but intended to promote discussion among partners about best practices and up scaling strategies in rural sanitation and hygiene.

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MLIPUKO WA BOMU KATIKA BAA ARUSHA WAJERUHI 17

WATU 17  wamejeruhiwa  watano hali zao zikielezwa kuwa mbaya  baada ya kitu kinachodhaniwa  kuwa ni bomu kulipuka katika baa iitwayo night Park katika eneo la Mianzini Jijini Arusha.

Tukio hilo lilitokea usiku wa kumakia  leo  katika baa hiyo maarufu kwa kuwa na wateja wengi nyakati za jioni.
,

Watu walionusurika  John Bugege  na Lewis Nyali wakizungumza na waandishi wa habari muda mfupi  baada ya mlipuko kutokea walisema kuwa hawakuweza kujua namna tukio lilivyotokea na kwamba walisikia kishindo  kikubwa na watu kuanza kukimbia huku na kule na wengi kujeruhiwa kutokana na kukanyagana.

“Siwezi kueleza hasa nini kimetokea namshukuru Mungu nimetoka salama “alisema alamnusura mwingine Alfred Shayo.

Kamanda wa polisi Mkoa wa Arusha Liberatus Saba alithibitisha kutoke akwa tukio hilo na kuongeza kuwa polisi wanaendelea na uchunguzi kubaini chanzo cha mlipuko huo na wahusika wa tukio hilo.

“Ni mapema mno kusema chochote majeruhi ni 17 na tayari wapo hospitali ya Mkoa Mount Meru kwa matibabu,,tutawapa taarifa zaidi kesho asubuhi”alisema Sabas katika eneo la tukio.

Tukio hilo ni la tatu kutokea kwa nyakati tofauti  ikiwemo la mlipuko katika kanisa katoliki Olasiti   na la pili katika mkutano wa siasa katika eneo la Soweto  na matukio hayo kusababaisha vifo kadhaa na majeruhi wengi.

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KILIMANJARO MOUNTAIN GLACIER IS HERE TO STAY,EXPERT

Tourists who desire to see Mount Kilimanjaro snows now have a reason to smile, as local ecologists say –“the ice is here to stay”.

Mount Klimanjaro  recent  out look photo

Kilimanjaro National Park ecologist, Imani Kikoti told a team of visiting journalists here that the glacier is till sufficient contrary to earlier projection that would vanish between 2015 to 2020.

Prof. Lonnie Thompson from United States of America, in 2002 declared that the snow could disappear within 15 years from that time due to effects of climate change.

“We are comfortable that the ice will not disappear as it was predicted by an American academician” Mr Kikoti said, adding that there are several ongoing studies on the same.

According to him, several initiatives such as massive tree planting around the mountain have somehow mitigated because they boosted the forest cover and consequently reduced the effects of global warming.

He implored residents of Kilimanjaro to continue planting the tree if the snow of the Mount Kilimanjaro, a major tourist’s attraction will remain steady.

Acting KINAPA Park warden, Eva Mallya, said that majority of tourists who climb mount Kilimanjaro every year are normally thrilled by the permanent ice-caped summit, than anything else.

For instance, last financial year, Mount Kilimanjaro attracted over 50,000 tourists across the world, leaving behind around Tsh 80 billion to the economy.

Kilimanjaro's glaciers are disappearing. The ice fields Ernest Hemingway once described as "wide as all the world, great, high, and unbelievably white in the sun" have lost 82 percent of their ice since 1912—the year their full extent was first measured.
If current climatic conditions persist, the legendary glaciers, icing the peaks of Africa's highest summit for nearly 12,000 years, could be gone entirely by 2020.

"Just connect the dots," said Ohio State University geologist Lonnie Thompson. "If things remain as they have, in 15 years Kilimanjaro's glaciers will be gone."

When Thompson's reports of glacial recession on Kilimanjaro first emerged in 2002, the story was quickly picked up and trumpeted as another example of humans destroying nature. 

It's easy to see why: Ice fields in the tropics—Kilimanjaro lies about 220 miles (350 kilometers) south of the Equator—are particularly susceptible to climate change, and even the slightest temperature fluctuation can have devastating effects.

"There's a tendency for people to take this temperature increase and draw quick conclusions, which is a mistake," said Douglas R. Hardy, a climatologist at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, who monitored Kilimanjaro's glaciers from mountain top weather stations since 2000.

 "The real explanations are much more complex. Global warming plays a part, but a variety of factors are really involved."

According to Hardy, forest reduction in the areas surrounding Kilimanjaro, and not global warming, might be the strongest human influence on glacial recession.

 "Clearing for agriculture and forest fires—often caused by honey collectors trying to smoke bees out of their hives—have greatly reduced the surrounding forests," he says. The loss of foliage causes less moisture to be pumped into the atmosphere, leading to reduced cloud cover and precipitation and increased solar radiation and glacial evaporation.

Evidence of glacial recession on Kilimanjaro is often dated from 1912, but most scientists believe tropical glaciers began receding as early as the 1850s.

 Stefan L. Hastenrath, a professor of atmospheric studies at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, has found clues in local reports of a dramatic drop in East African lake levels after 1880. Lake evaporation indicates a decrease in precipitation and cloudiness around Kilimanjaro.

"Less cloud coverage lets more sunlight filter through and hit the glaciers," Hastenrath said. "That increase in sunlight then provides more energy for evaporation of the glacier."
Hastenrath found further evidence in sailing expedition reports from the same period.

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MVUA YALETA MAAFA,WATU 872 WAKOSA MAHALA PA KUISHI

WATU 872  kutoka  kaya 72  katika  kata ya Bwawani Wilayani Areumeru Mkoani Arusha ,hawana mahali pa kuishi baada ya nyumba zao kusombwa na maji  pamoja na samani zao zao za ndani .

Mvua hizo pia zimeharibu mamia ya hekari zenye mazao mbalimbali   zilizokuwa zimepandwa na wananchi wa kata ya Bwawani katika vijini vya Temi ya Simba na Kijiji cha Bwawani .

Akizungumza na waandishi wa habari  Mkurugenzi wa Halmashauri ya Arusha  Wilayani  humo ,Fidelist Lumato Mvua hizo zilinyesha mwishoni mwa wiki na kufanya uharibu mkubwa ,na  kuathiri zaidi watu waliokuwa wakiishi katika maeneo ya mabondeni

Lumato amewataka wananchi wanaoishi wanaoishi katika maeneo ya mabonde kuhama ikiwa ni kuepusha madhara zaidi  yanayoweza kutokea kutokana na mvua zinazoendelea kunyesha .

Aidha aliwataka kujenga nyumba imara kwa kutumia matofali yakuchoma ikiwa ni kuepusha madhara ya nyumba zao matope kusombwa na maji

Kufuatia maafa hayo wadau mbali mbali  wamejitokeza kusaidia watu hao ambao ni Halmashauri imetoa msaada wa magunia 180 ya mahindi kwa ajili ya watu hao ,mbegu za mazo zenye thamani ya million 4.

Wengine  waliotoa msaada ni  Kampuni ya Monaban  iliyotoa kilo 2000 za unga wa mahindi ,Kampuni ya Tanform magodoro 50 na unga kilo 200,Red cross msaada wa mablanketi 100,ndoo 50 za kuchotea maji  na Kampuni ya A-Z vyandarua  250 na Tisheti  200 ,Diwani wa kata ya Mlangarini Mathias Manga ametoa mabati 100 .

Akitoa ufafanuzi zaidi alisema kuwa hali za watu hao ni ngumu na kuomba wadau zaidi kujitokeza kuwasaidia waathirika hao .

Lumato alisema hao kwa sasa watu hao wamepatiwa hifadhi katika ofisi ya kijiji  cha bwawani na Kanisani,

Mwisho………………………………………………………………..

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TATO DONATES 15 MOTORBIKES TO POLICE TO BOOST SECURITY IN ARUSHA REGION

Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (TATO) has donated a total of 15 motorcycles to police force in Arusha, in a rare public-private-partnership to fight against crime.  

TATO Chairman ( far right )Willy Chambulo handing over the motor bike switch to Arusha regional commissioner  Magessa Mulongo 

The motorbikes worth Tsh 27 million will help the law enforces to battle with the wave of criminals who are currently riding motorcycles to terrorize people.

TATO chairman, Mr Willy Chambulo said they have decided to help the law enforces to efficient in battling crimes in northern tourism circuit.

“Arusha needs tourism for it to prosper and for that to happen we need to equip our police officers in order be effective to tame crime in this important town” Mr Chambulo said on Thursday during the handing over function.

Receiving the motorbikes, the Arusha regional Police commander, Liberatus Sabas said his force is in dire needy of transport gears like motorcycles in order to face the criminals who have been using motorbikes to sneak after committing crime.

“Criminals have changed their tactics and police also supposed to follow suit, if we are to win the battle. At the moment criminals use motorbikes and police also need the same motorcycle to face them” Mr Sabas noted.

He commended TATO for their support, adding that other stakeholders should also borrow a leaf.

TATO Public Relations Chief, Mr Zuher Fazal said that his association is committed to work together with the government to serve the community.

“Arusha needs to be secure and better place to live if tourists, investors and citizens to enjoy and to achieve this we must support our law enforcers” Mr Fazal noted.

For his part, Arusha Regional commissioner, Magessa Mulongo said at the moment, Arusha is safe compared to eight years ago where criminals turned the area as their hideout.

“We are grateful to TATO for being in fore front to compliment the government efforts. Now criminals should be aware that they can come, but they will never get out safely” Mr Mulongo said.

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MOUNDULI RESIDENTS PROTEST AGAINST GOVT MOVE TO MINE SODASH AT ENGARUKA IN ARUSHA

Resident of three villages around  Engaruka area in Monduli District are up in arms against the government plan to mine  sodash  in Their area.

speaking with reporters, they said the move by the government to start the project without their involvement is totally against good governance.

Representative  Bird life international Baraka laizer showing journalists sodash  mining site near Engaruka

Babulo Alex a resident of Engaruka said if the project will  continue it is going to put their livelihoods in jeopardy because of the negative environmental  impact which is expected to  pose the area if implemented.

In her opinion, Noosikito Rwako said that the project should be terminated immediately and engages fresh dialogue with the villagers to get their views in order to protect their social economic interests.

 “This lake has been a source of water in our land, we feed our cattle’s here ,if they erect a mining plant here ,we are all going to perish “said Rwako.

She went on saying they have been puzzled to see big trucks and machines close to the lake that they depend upon for drinking water and their livestock without the knowledge of what is happening.

A community activists from Selela Village Loserian Ramadhani pointed out that that if the factory is built near the lake the  impact will be enormous and could cause the dam to dry.

Baraka Laizer a representative of Birdlife International said if the plant is  to be built at the same area  it will  pose a  significant environmental  impact to both human and wildlife sharing the ecosystem.

" Bird species of flamingos arrive in the Engaruka  lake  that lies a short distance from Lake Natron to breed ,wild animals will  also suffer greatly if the factory is bound here " said Laizer.

Laizer said most residents are of the opinion that tourism activities are environmental friendly and contribute   more to the livelihood of the villagers.

“ ,This lust of wealth should not lead these people  to suffer in the near future, the government should  consider facts and put its people interests  in  priority  .said Laizer.

He said more than eighteen thousands residents from Selela and Engaruka area are feared to be directly affected if the project will take off.

National development corporation (NDC) corporate affairs Manager Abel Ngapemba recently was quoted by the media saying  that  Tanzania government   is looking for a consultant to carry out socio-technical study for the Engaruka sodash  project which he said is  envisaged to stimulate the economy of Engaruka area 

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