WHY MOUNT KILIMANJARO PORTER’S SOCIETY (MKPS) HAVE BEEN FRONTLINER RESPONDER TO MT.KILIMANJARO FIRE OUTBREAK

On October 21, 2022, there was a fire outbreak in Mount Kilimanjaro National Park, in Karanga Camp, an area located about 4,000 meters above sea level. Tanzania’s National Parks Authority says the fire has destroyed hundreds of hectares of the mountain's forests. However, No injuries were reported and Tanzania’s national parks authority says tourism has not been affected.

 Around 500 people, including firefighters, national park staff, civilians, tour guides, and porters were said to be at the scene on Sunday, Tanzanian newspaper Mwananchi reported. Amongst these people were porters from Mount Kilimanjaro Porter’s Society (MKPS) who were the first fire respondents and exhibited efforts in extinguishing the erupted fire.

Mount Kilimanjaro Porters’ Society (MKPS) is a Non-governmental organization, located in East Africa in the Kilimanjaro region working with porters who climbs Mountain Kilimanjaro and Meru 18,000 members. The society is affiliated with Zara Tanzania Adventures.

 

Kilimanjaro Porters are the backbone of the trekking world and an essential part of mountaineering, their main job and responsibility is carrying goods, supplies, and equipment up the mountain for tourists and mountaineers.

MKPS porters were amongst the first responder to erupted fire and put so much effort in extinguishing the fire because Mountain Kilimanjaro is a popular tourist destination and tens of thousands of people climb it every year, thus Mt. Kilimanjaro to MKPS porters serves as their main source of Income.

Moreover, MKPS is an advocate of sustainable tourism whereby porters also have the opportunity to give back to the environment and the community by participating in Various Sustainable Tourism Projects Spearheaded by different Tours Companies, such as Zara Tanzania Adventures.

 Mountain Kilimanjaro including all its surrounding and reserved areas is a vital asset to MKPS porters, and it’s in their great interest to protect the mountain from any incidents such as fire, and make sure of general environmental conservation. Porters participate in environmental conservation projects such as Kilimanjaro Clean up Volunteer trek, the project goal is to pick up garbage and other unwanted materials on the mountain. MKPS plays a significant role in providing manpower, restoring the trails, and planting trees in the forest. The aim of this trek is to raise awareness of climate change and conserve the environment by preserving this precious ecosystem and biodiversity.

 MKPS porters also have been at the frontline in revolutionizing their working conditions creating a dignified, fair, and decent work environment for them. Thus, whether you are a climber, local tour operator, travel agent, charity group, porter, cook or guide, the MKPS needs your assistance to advocate for and safeguard the fair and ethical treatment of all porters.