A Cabinet minister has allayed fears that ice caps on Mt Kilimanjaro that is a big tourist attraction in the region could disappear permanently.

The minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Ms Shamsa Mwangunga, says contrary to reports that the ice caps were decreasing owing to effects of global warming, indications were that the snow cover on Africa’s highest mountain were now increasing.

“Among the signs of more snow is the decrease in temperatures in areas surrounding the mountain, heavy rainfall this year and increased precipitation and spring water flow on the slopes of the mountain,” she pointed out.

The minister toured the mountain last week as part of activities to mark the African Travel Association’s annual meeting held in Arusha.

She said reports that the ice caps at the 5,895 metres high mountain would disappear in the next 20 years were overblown because there were signs that the snow cover had increased in recent years.

Ms Mwangunga explained that initiatives have been taken to minimise the effects of global warming and preserve the mountain’s environment among other natural tourism attraction features.

“If we believe that the situation is caused by global warming, then it is time for the international community to implement effectively the Kyoto Protocol by reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” she argued.

The minister’s remarks contradicted those of her predecessor, Prof Jumanne Maghembe. He was speaking at a meeting of wildlife scientists last December.

Now the minister for Education and Vocational Training, Prof Maghembe quoted data from scientists indicating that the ice cap on Mt Kilimanjaro has dropped by over 80 per cent in the last 100 years.

He warned that the snow on Mt Kilimanjaro, one of the leading tourist attractions in the country, could disappear in the next 20 years at the current melting rate.

In 2002, Ms Zakhia Meghji, then minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, also rejected reports of fast depreciation of the snow on Mt Kilimanjaro.

She said no conclusive data had been arrived at by scientists on the matter.

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