LAHORE (Dunya News) - International Mountain Day is being observed across the globe, including in Pakistan today (Thursday) that 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 “Glaciers matter for water, food and livelihoods in mountains and beyond”.
International Mountain Day 2025 is an opportunity to highlight the importance of glacier preservation for agriculture, water security and the livelihoods of vulnerable mountain communities.
Glaciers, vast reserves of ice and snow found across the planet, are far more than frozen landscapes – they are lifelines for ecosystems and communities. Yet, these critical components of the Earth’s systems are undergoing rapid and alarming transformations with profound consequences for us all.
International Mountain Day is celebrated annually on 11 December 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 percent of the world’s population and host nearly half of the world’s biodiversity hotspots.
Mountains are also under threat from climate change and overexploitation; as the climate warms, mountain glaciers melt, which can affect freshwater supplies downstream.
Eight of the sixteen highest mountain peaks in the world are in Pakistan. There are five high snow peaks of 26 thousand feet in the country including the world's second highest peak, K-2, and ninth highest peak Nanga Parbat.