International Mountain Day is celebrated on December 11 of every year. Mountains are natural, high, regal structures that stand against the sky. Since 2003, it has been observed every year to create awareness about the importance of mountains in people’s lives, highlight the constraints and opportunities in mountain development, and build alliances. That will bring great change to mountain peoples and the global environment.

On the mountains of truth you can never climb in vain: either you will reach a point higher up today, or you will be training your powers so that you will be able to climb higher tomorrow.” – Friedrich Nietzsche

History of International Mountain Day

International Mountain Day was first established in December 2003 by the United Nations General Assembly to bring awareness to the people about the importance of mountains in our lives. The International Year of Mountains was first held in 2002 to raise awareness of issues relating to sustainable mountain development. The International Year of Mountains was created at the United Nations headquarters in New York on December 11, 2001. On December 20, 2002, the United Nations General Assembly designated December 11 as International Mountain Day. It encouraged international communities worldwide to coordinate events to highlight the significance of sustainable mountain development.

International Mountain Day

Features of Mountains:

  1. Mountains cover 22% of the earth’s surface worldwide, and mountains attract 15-20% of global tourism.
  2. Mountains are home to 13% of the global population.
  3. Mountains contain 56% of global biosphere reserves.
  4. People in the mountains will have unique local knowledge, traditions, and cultural practices.

Themes:

Every year, International Mountain Day is celebrated with a particular theme.

2023 – “Restoring mountain ecosystems.”
2022 – “Women Move Mountains”
2021– “Sustainable Mountain Tourism..”
2020 – “Mountain biodiversity.”
2019 – “Mountains matter for Youth.”
2018 – “#MountainsMatter.”
2017
– “Mountain under Pressure: climate, hunger, migration.”
2016 – “Mountain Cultures: Celebrating diversity and strengthening identity.”
2015 – “Promoting Mountain Products.”

Other Celebrations on December 11

December 11 is also celebrated as

How to Celebrate International Mountain Day

International Mountain Day can be celebrated in either a fun cavalcade or an educational way. Just discover the things that are offered by the mountain. You can also create awareness among the people about the importance of the mountain to our lives by organizing small events. Take pictures by visiting the nearby mountains and share them with others on social media by using the hashtag #MountainDay.

Thank you for reading the post. You can celebrate every day with Happydays365.org and Happy International Mountain Day 2023.