KATHMANDU: International Mountain Day is being observed around the world today. The day aims to raise public awareness about the impacts of melting glaciers on mountains and mountain communities.
It also highlights the opportunities and challenges of mountain development and calls for global cooperation to bring positive change for mountain people and the environment.
The day has been celebrated annually on December 11 since 2003 at the initiative of the United Nations. Various programs, including lectures and exhibitions related to mountain life, glaciers, and the environment, are being organized today at the headquarters of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Rome.
According to the United Nations, two billion people worldwide rely on water originating from mountain regions. In recent years, mountain ecosystems have become increasingly vulnerable, and water resources are under threat. Glaciers are melting at an accelerated pace, and if global temperatures continue to rise, more glaciers will disappear.
More than 15 million people globally are also considered highly vulnerable to the potential dangers posed by glacier collapse. International Mountain Day seeks to raise global awareness of these risks and challenges, while emphasizing cooperation for mountain conservation, sustainable development, and a secure future.
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