Islamabad (Web Desk): International Mountain Day is being observed today (Wednesday) across the globe including Pakistan.
The day aims at raising awareness to improve the condition of mountains and populations living near them.
The theme of this year's International Mountain Day is “Mountain solutions for a sustainable future – innovation, adaptation and youth”.
In a message on the observance of the International Mountain Day, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that as custodians of some of the most awe-inspiring mountains in the world, they reaffirmed the resolve to protect their natural environment, preserve their beauty for the future generations.
“Today, on International Mountain Day, we join the global community, in recognition of the significance of mountains to our home planet and to the millions of people whose lives are intrinsically intertwined with these majestic landscapes,” the prime minister said.
He said that this year’s theme, “Mountain solutions for a sustainable future – innovation, adaptation, youth and beyond,” is reminder of the importance of collaborative efforts, innovation, respect for indigenous wisdom and the active involvement of youth in finding sustainable solutions for mountain conservation.
PM Shehbaz Pakistan had been dedicated to this cause for decades, from the National Mountain Conservation Strategy to Promotion of Eco-Tourism and stringent focus on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“Through innovative climate solutions such as Early Warning Systems, bio-engineering techniques to prevent land degradation, and durable flood protection infrastructure, we are building safe, secure, and climate-resilient communities in the rich mountainous terrains of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Gilgit Baltistan such that our communities remain safe, secure and thriving,” the premier said.
It is pertinent to mention that 8 of the 16 highest mountain peaks in the world are in Pakistan. There are 5 high snow peaks of 26,000 feet in the country including the world's second highest peak, K-2, and 9th highest peak Nanga Parbat.
According to the United Nations (UN), International Mountain Day is celebrated annually on December 11 to create awareness about the importance of mountains to life, to highlight the opportunities and constraints in mountain development, and to build alliances that will bring positive change to mountain peoples and environments around the world.
Mountains are home to 15% of the world’s population and host nearly half of the world’s biodiversity hotspots.
In 2002, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) designated December 11 as International Mountain Day. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) coordinates the annual celebration of the Day to foster greater awareness of mountain issues.
