ISLAMABAD: Global community observes International Mountain Day today to increase public awareness of the value of mountains to both life and climate.
The United Nations General Assembly established International Mountain Day to recognise the importance of mountains. Every year, this Day is observed with a specific theme and theme of this year is ‘Women Move Mountains.’
Pakistan is home to 108 peaks above 7,000 metres and 4555[1] above 6,000 m. There is no count of the peaks above 5,000 and 4,000 m. Five of the 14 highest independent peaks in the world (the eight-thousanders) are in Pakistan (four of which lie in the surroundings of Concordia; the confluence of Baltoro Glacier and Godwin Austen Glacier).
Phekar Peak Located in Gilgit Baltistan Pakistan pic.twitter.com/7LLAB9w1Sw
— Beautiful Pakistan???????? (@LandofPakistan) December 11, 2022
Most of the highest peaks in Pakistan lie in the Karakoram mountain range (which lies almost entirely in the Gilgit–Baltistan region of Pakistan, and is considered to be a separate range from Himalayan range) but some peaks above 7,000 m are included in the Himalayan and Hindu Kush ranges. Moreover, Pakistan is home to over 7,000 glaciers, more than anywhere except the polar regions.
A cinematic video from the elevation of 5000 m in Karakoram mountain range. Dayor Chala is a famous peak in Danyore, Gilgit. From this location you will have a clear view of Mighty Rakaposhi.#backpacker #GilgitBaltistan #adventure #trekking #camping #Tours pic.twitter.com/kKSewVjm9P
— Karakoram Backpackers Pakistan (@KarakoramBackpa) November 28, 2022
According to the United Nations, the theme of this year’s International Mountain Day (IMD) on 11 December will be Women move mountains.
Women play a key role in mountains’ environmental protection and social and economic development. They are often the primary managers of mountain resources, guardians of biodiversity, keepers of traditional knowledge, custodians of local culture, and experts in traditional medicine.
Increasing climate variability, coupled with a lack of investment in mountain agriculture and rural development, has often pushed men to migrate elsewhere in search of alternative livelihoods. Women have therefore taken on many tasks formerly done by men, yet mountain women are often invisible due to a lack of decision-making power and unequal access to resources.
As farmers, market sellers, businesswomen, artisans, entrepreneurs, and community leaders, mountain women and girls, in particular in rural areas, have the potential to be major agents of change. When rural women have access to resources, services, and opportunities, they become a driving force against hunger, malnutrition, and rural poverty and are active in the development of mountain economies.
International Mountain Day 2022 is an opportunity to promote gender equality and therefore contribute to improving social justice, livelihoods and resilience.
Get to know more about women in mountains and use FAO’s, communication materials in all six UN languages, which are available on their website.
While Women move mountains is the suggested theme for 2022, countries, communities, and organizations are welcome to celebrate IMD through a theme that is more relevant to them.
Celebrate this International Day 2022 with your community and friends preparing an event or joining the conversation on social media using the hashtag #MountainsMatter. Pass on some of the key messages, or share about the important role of women in mountains, or post, or a photo of your favorite mountain.
Unfortunately, mountains are under threat from climate change and overexploitation. As the global climate continues to warm, mountain people — some of the world’s poorest — face even greater struggles to survive. The rising temperatures also mean that mountain glaciers are melting at unprecedented rates, affecting freshwater supplies downstream for millions of people.
This problem affects us all. We must reduce our carbon footprint and take care of these natural treasures.
The increasing attention to the importance of mountains led the UN to declare to 2002 the UN International Year of Mountains. The first international day was celebrated for the first time the following year, 2003.
Its roots date back to 1992, when the document “Managing Fragile Ecosystems: Sustainable Mountain Development” (called Chapter 13), was adopted as part of the action plan Agenda 21 of the Conference on Environment and Development.
Most recently, the UN proclaimed 2022 the International Year of Sustainable Mountain Development.
