YAS Tanzania has intensified its environmental conservation efforts through the “YAS Go Green for Kili” initiative, a campaign aimed at protecting the ecosystem of Mount Kilimanjaro while supporting sustainable livelihoods for surrounding communities.
The latest phase of the programme, held in Moshi on March 21, 2026, brought together regional authorities, conservation institutions and local communities to plant trees and reinforce the importance of protecting water catchments and forest resources around the mountain.
Opening the event, the Kilimanjaro Regional Commissioner, Nurdin Babu, said initiatives such as the campaign are critical in safeguarding the mountain’s fragile ecosystem, which plays a key role in water supply, agriculture and tourism in northern Tanzania.
He noted that collaborative conservation efforts around Mount Kilimanjaro are helping to secure vital water sources while protecting the natural heritage that supports local economic activities.
Babu called on more organisations and stakeholders to take part in environmental protection programmes to ensure that the region’s natural resources are preserved for future generations.
YAS Tanzania Chief Executive Officer, Pierre Canton Bacara, said the initiative has already begun delivering tangible environmental gains since its launch in 2024.
According to him, more than 100,000 trees have been planted so far under the programme, helping to restore nearly 70 hectares of degraded land within Kilimanjaro National Park.
He added that the initiative has also mobilised strong community participation, with more than 5,000 residents directly involved in conservation activities linked to the programme.
Bacara attributed the progress to strong partnerships between YAS and several government and conservation institutions, including the Pangani Basin Water Board, the Tanzania Forest Services Agency and the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority.
He said the project has recorded a tree survival rate of more than 95 percent, which he described as a clear indication of community ownership and consistent monitoring of planted areas.
This year’s campaign is placing greater emphasis on protecting water sources and raising environmental awareness among communities, particularly young people.
Over the past week, YAS teams and their partners have conducted environmental awareness sessions within local communities, visited schools to encourage students to take leadership roles in conservation and organised clean-up exercises in key water catchment areas.
During Monday’s activity, participants planted 3,000 seedlings, marking the first step toward the initiative’s target of planting 50,000 trees in 2025.
Bacara said protecting forests and water sources around Mount Kilimanjaro remains vital for sustaining agriculture, tourism and local livelihoods across the region.
He added that the company’s environmental work aligns with its broader mission of contributing to sustainable development in Tanzania.
“As we invest in delivering fast and reliable connectivity to Tanzanians, we understand that our responsibility extends to protecting the natural resources that make development possible,” he said.
He also thanked government leaders, conservation partners and staff from YAS and Mixx for supporting the initiative and helping drive the campaign forward.
According to Bacara, each tree planted under the programme represents a long-term investment in the protection of Tanzania’s natural environment and the well-being of future generations.
