Int’l Mountain Day 2021: Date, Theme, History, Significance and More!

The “International Mountain Day” is celebrated every year to raise awareness about the natural jewels – mountains and to mobilize people to save mountains. Mountains needed a special day as they are under threat from climate change and overexploitation. As the global climate continues to warm, mountain people 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.

Nearly, 27 percent of the earth’s land is covered with mountains. Mountains are home to 15 percent of the world´s population and host about half of the world's biodiversity hotspots. They provide fresh water for everyday life to half of humanity, according to the official site of the United Nations. 

The special day for mountains is celebrated on “December 11,” every year. 

The theme for this year’s day will be – “Sustainable Mountain Tourism”. 

Mountain tourism attracts around 15 to 20 percent of global tourism. Sustainable tourism in mountains can contribute to creating additional and alternative livelihood options and promoting poverty alleviation, social inclusion, as well as landscape and biodiversity conservation. It is a way to preserve the natural, cultural and spiritual heritage, promote local crafts and high-value products, and celebrate many traditional practices such as local festivals.

For the first time, the day was celebrated in the year 2003 but its root back to 1992, when the document “Managing Fragile Ecosystems: Sustainable Mountain Development” was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly. 

Earlier, 2002 was celebrated as the International Year of Mountain. 

In 2021, we may celebrate the day at our homes through social media, using the hashtag “#MountainsMatter”.