Of
recent there has been information circulating in the social media
originating from the story that was written in the Daily News Online (http://www.dailynews.co.tz/
Tanzania National Parks would like to clarify on this incorrect information as follows;
In 2011/2012 Kilimanjaro National Park recorded a total of 57,456 tourists, being the highest number the park has ever had in the recent years. Contrary
to the reported information and with reference to the current Limits of
Acceptable Use as per the current General Management Plan of
Kilimanjaro National Park, the mountain has never reached its maximum
number of visitors allowed to hike per day. During this year of record
of 2011/2012, the average number of climbers in all the six routes of
Marangu, Machame, Mweka, Rongai, Londorosi/Lemosho, and Umbwe was 45
climbers per day while the number which could be afforded as per the
General Management Plan was 78 per route making a shortage of 33
climbers per route in all the six routes.
Despite
the fact that Mount Kilimanjaro has never reached the maximum allowed
number of visitors per day, the park still has taken stringent measures
to ensure its clients are having services which are of good quality and
of the required standard such as:-
i. Trash Management
- Kilimanjaro National Park has in place a strategy known as Trash in Trash out (TITO)whereby trashes produced by all climbers are taken out of the park on their exit.
- In order to control waste products, use of plastic bags, small and disposable plastic water/juice bottles is strictly prohibited in the mountain.
- Use of properly made kit bags for carrying client’s stuff to the mountain
- Providing to tourists when entering the park informational brochures detailing on the do’s anddont’s while climbing the mountain
- Giving out conservation education to stakeholders including guides and porters through various meetings arranged by the park.
ii. Mountain Facilities
· Toilets
The
Park management has been taking very serious measures to ensure that
toilet facilities are improved all over the mountain. In doing this,
the park is currently under the move to demolish all temporary toilets
and replace them with big and modern ones. A total of 59 modern toiletshave been built in different mountain stations so far.
· Modern Mountain Huts
Currently
mountain huts are offered to climbers using Marangu route. The huts are
in good condition with solar systems, beds and mattresses. The bed
capacities at each station are as follows, Mandara 84, Horombo 230 and
Kibo 58. Alongside these huts, the park has built Permanent Dining Hall
and Kitchen structures thus rendering service provision to clients easy
and of good quality.
· Trails
A
very good trail network has been established in all six climbing routes
thus makes it easy for climbers to trek from one point to the other.
These trails are always maintained and therefore are in good condition
throughout the year
· Rescue Services
Rescue
service in the park is done by our well-trained rescue rangers located
in all stations from an altitude of 3500m Above Mean Sea Level. These
rangers are equipped with first aid facilities such as oxygen cylinders,
stretchers, Gamow bags and radio communications systems.
The
park also has established road networks to Shira II and Horombo
stations. These roads are used for evacuation of casualties from
mountain to the Hospital for treatment.
· Security
Park
rangers are deployed in all mountain stations for security purposes.
These rangers are well trained in executing their duties and are also
armed.
Conclusively, as
our mission stands: “To sustainably conserve and manage park resources
and their aesthetic value, for the benefit of present and future
generations of mankind, as well as efficiently provide high class
tourism products and services”, Tanzania National Parks through
Kilimanjaro National Park will continue to work tirelessly in ensuring
that this mission is attained.
Issued by Corporate Communications Department
Tanzania National Parks
05th March, 2014
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