International Mountain Day observed on December 11, 2021.

Why in news?

• December 11 is observed every year as the International Mountain Day to raise awareness about the importance of mountains to life and to climate.

About International Mountain Day

• December 11 is observed every year as the International Mountain Day to raise awareness about the importance of mountains to life and to climate.
• International Mountain Day was designated by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to acknowledge the fact that mountains are home to 15% of the total population of the world and they also host about half of the world’s biodiversity hotspots.

Theme

• The International Mountain Day 2021 theme is ‘Sustainable Mountain Tourism’. The theme signifies that sustainable tourism in mountains is a way to preserve the cultural, natural, and spiritual heritage of the mountains around the world.

Significance of International Mountain Day 2021

• The International Mountain Day aims at creating awareness about the significance of mountains and the role that they play in maintaining biodiversity. Mountain Day also sheds light on the opportunities and constraints in mountain development.
• However, the International Mountain Day 2021 is of extreme relevance because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the effect it had on mountain tourism. Mountain Day acknowledges that the covid pandemic has further compounded the vulnerabilities of the mountain communities.