In the Northern Eastern of Tanzania from the plains near Moshi, approximately 5,892 Metres which is equivalent to 19,331 feet, lays the beautiful highest peak of Africa (The roof of Africa), Mount Kilimanjaro with its three volcanic cones of Kibo, Mawenzi and Shira that provides the spectacular view of its surrounding plains.
Mount Kilimanjaro being the tallest free-standing mountain in the world, it’s the reason that gives its unique convincing beauty of Africa.
I being the eye witness on climbing the roof of Africa four times, I would say that, climbing Mountain Kilimanjaro, one must be physically capable and properly equipped to make sure he/she doesn’t have any excuse when climbing the mountain.
Mount Kilimanjaro has several routes to reach the peak of Africa, these includes Marangu route (Normal route), Mweka route, Umbwe route, Machame route, Shira route, Lemosho and Rongai routes.
With all the beautiful things found in the Mountain Kilimanjaro (Birds, landscapes, Ice cap and vegetation), still there are threats to this beautiful Roof of Africa.
According to the research done by the Professor Thomson in January and February 2000 on history of the mountain’s climate over the centuries which was published by BBC, state that, “Some time between 2015 and 2020 the ice will be gone - along with the archive of climate history recorded in those glaciers”. The report also said earlier evidence shows that there were three catastrophic droughts on the continent in the intervening period and also reinforces predictions made last year that rising temperatures could clear the mountain's ice completely within two decades. (Follow this link to read the BBC report of their work)
Since the last pictures were taken on Mountain Kilimanjaro, it shows that the snow has been decline for more and more and it’s estimated that the volume of the ice cape on Mount Kilimanjaro has dropped by more than 80% and this is since the year 1970.
According to the Earthshorts: Satellite images of environmental change, Kilimanjaro's glaciers have been shrinking since at least the 1880s. (Scientists measure the glaciers, not the fluctuating snow cover. Ground measurements are required in addition to aerial/satellite imagery, since the glaciers may be covered by snow or ash.)The ice has retreated both vertically and horizontally, but the loss of area has been more dramatic, here are the statistics
Year Area
1880 20 km2
1912 12.1 km2
1953 6.7 km2
1976 4.2 km2
1989 3.3 km2
2000 2.6 km2
2003 2.5 km2
If this climate change continues, its repercussion would be extremely higher to the people live near by the mountain because the big part of their economy depends much on the water that is coming from this mountain for their domestic and agriculture use.
Mount Kilimanjaro provides employment for the people living near by the mountain (People from Kilimanjaro, Arusha and Manyara). Most of the tourist from Europe and other part of the world come to climb this beautiful Roof of Africa as part of their leisure time. This provides jobs for many young people in the mentioned regions as they are paid to climb the mountain together with tourists caring their luggage or being guides leading the tourists.
It’s clearly shown how the community will suffer economically and socially as there will be no tourists to visit the mountain after the glacier had disappear hence no jobs for the native.
The global warming (Climate Change) will also result to other factors like Temperature rise, drought, and increased high sea level lead to Tsunamis.
Mount Kilimanjaro must have a special call to prevent it from its glacier disappearance in order to give more room for the people to survive via the mountain. Lets Tanzania stands and wake up to serve our natural resources.
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