The International Mountain Day would be observed today across the country as elsewhere in the world to highlight the importance of mountains to peoples’ lives, their livelihoods, economy and sustainable development.
The theme of the year has been ascertained ‘Mountains under pressure : climate, hunger, migration’. The negative impact of the global climate change along with people unplanned use have created adverse situation at the hilly regions across the world. Excessive rainfall, drought and storms due to the impact of the climate change in one and deforestation in other have victimized the livelihood of the people living in hilly regions.
The United Nations designated 11 December as “International Mountain Day” and it is observed each year since 2003 in order to create awareness about importance of mountains to life, highlight challenges and bring positive changes to environment through global partnership.
The day has significant importance to Bangladesh as its Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) area and part of Sylhet are covered by mountains and hills. The development in these parts of the country would provide better economy for local communities and usher in a new era of tourism there.
President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina gave separate messages on the day and wished its full success. They also stressed on the need for a balanced development in the mountain areas, which are the source of fresh water, rivers, air, fruits, natural resources and livelihoods for millions.
President Abdul Hamid said the international mountain day would create awareness among the common people about the life and culture of the hilly peoples and it would ensure the fundamental ingredients in constitution of sustainable future of the hilly people.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the government struck a peace deal in 1997 in order to restore peace in the CHT and steer a new wave of development there. She said a number of steps have already been taken in the areas, which were once backward, to connect them to digital age and facilities.
Mountains cover 22 per cent of the earth’s land surface and are home to 13 per cent of the world population. Ninety per cent of the world mountain dwellers live in developing countries where a vast majority lives below the poverty line and one out of three faces the threat of food insecurity.
