Local athlete strives to save disappearing Kilimanjaro glaciers

The athlete had earlier been on the books' record of having ascended and descended Mt. Kilimanjaro, the highest in Africa, in a record eight hours.

The 5,895 metre high Kilimanjaro is also reckoned to be the highest free-standing mountain in the world. In his latest feat, Mr Lekule took to his heels from the sea level port city of Tanga on August 21st and reached the ice capped Kibo summit in 65 hours.

Speaking to reporters at Marangu upon his descent from the freezing peak of the mountain, Mr Lekule said he was excited for his record setting.

His message to the general public was for Tanzanians, including those who live on the slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro, to enhance conservation efforts there. "My mission was also to promote the mountain as a leading destination for tourists coming to Tanzania and Africa," he told journalists.

"I started my race on August 21st at Tanga and reached the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro at 1 pm on August 24th spending 65 hours," he said.

He added that his message to conserve Mt. Kilimanjaro was borne on the fact that the ice cover on the 'Roof of Africa' has been receding fast in recent years.

Lekule said there was a linkage between Mt. Kilimanjaro's ecology with downstream activities, such as agriculture, water supply, fisheries and power generation, in Tanga region.

"If there is wanton degradation of land and vegetation on the mountain and its slopes, it is those in downstream who would suffer from the consequences," he explained.

The Kilimanjaro National Park (Kinapa) assistant conservation commissioner, Ms Angela Nyaki lauded Mr Lekule for his passion for conservation.

She said the athlete’s message was clear that Mt. Kilimanjaro must be protected from different forms of degradation as that would impact its ecological resources.

Ms Angela said she was among scores of experts who are much worried by the receding glaciers atop Mt. Kilimanjaro summit which she linked to increased human activities.

Recent research findings have indicated that the ice cover on Africa's highest mountain has shrunk from 20 square kilometres in 1980 to less than two kilometre square at present.