International Mountain Day: Themes, History, and Celebrations

Mountains might not seem like they do much, but in reality, they are nature’s one of the most important creations. To raise awareness about mountains, the United Nations signifies December 11 as International Mountain Day. Let’s discuss more about the history, themes, and special events occurring on International Mountain Day and find out how to participate.

History of International Mountain Day (IMD):

International Mountain Day was officially celebrated for the first time in 2003, but its roots go far back to 1992. At the United Nations Assembly on “Environment & Development,” the agenda for “Sustainable Mountain Development” was first adopted.

This was a milestone achieved by the mountain science community, and the following years saw an increased interest in mountain managing.

The year 2002, before the celebration of the first IMD, was declared as the International Year of Mountains. On the great success IYM achieved, the UN General Assembly decided to name December 11 as International Mountain Day.

Just like other nature-related observances, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) is the coordinating agency for International Mountain Day.

Themes of International Mountain Day:

The first-ever celebration of International Mountain Day took place on December 11, 2003. The celebration occurred in many countries, including the USA, Japan, and Nepal. The theme of the year was “Mountains: Source of Freshwater.”

The celebration took place through events conducted by several exhibitions and conventions across the world. The exhibitions emphasized on development of mountains and the contributions made by various organizations in both government and non-government sectors. The events focussed mainly on technology, ecology, the culture of mountain areas.

The theme for the fourth International Mountain Day in 2006 was “Managing Mountain Biodiversity for Better Lives.” This year’s aim was to improve the living conditions for people living in mountainous regions. The residents of Mount Kilimanjaro, the Tibetan Drukpa, and the China Village in Nepal are prime examples of people living in difficult conditions.

“Mountain Minorities and Indigenous People” was the theme for 2010’s International Mountain Day. Its aim was to raise awareness about the indigenous people living in minorities in the mountains. The events hosted this year promoting their culture, their heritage, and their traditions.

In 2012, which marked 10 years of International Mountain Day (including IYM), the theme was “Sustainable Mountain Development.” Mountain products, such as tea, which is the main mountain export for developing nations, received quite a lot of special attention. Also, activities such as tea picking and tea growing took place to celebrate 10 years of mountain devotion.

In 2019, the focus of the theme went towards the younger generation. The theme was “Mountains Matter for Youth.” This year, the events and activities targeted the youth as the main goal was to educate younger people about mountains.

Mountains are not just geographical structures; they are life served on a plate. Raising awareness amongst the younger generation ensures that someone will carry the torch in the future and continue to bring change in the future.

Last year, International Mountain Day 2020’s theme was to protect mountain biodiversity. It was a great day to reflect upon the changes in mountain biodiversity throughout the years and the impacts they have on humans. The events hosted also focussed on the threats faced by the flora and fauna inhabiting mountains and ways to protect them.

The Themes for 2021, 2022, 2023 2024, and 2025 with much more details are below.

Importance of International Mountain Day:

Other than the breathtaking landscapes they are, mountains are also home to 15% of the world’s population. They contain almost half of the total biodiversity hotspots on the planet. They are regions hosting a significant amount of flora and fauna, which are vulnerable and at risk of extinction.

Unfortunately, mountains are being overexploited by humans (too many mountains are torn apart to make way for buildings and cities). Climate change also poses a huge threat to their existence, as the planet keeps getting warmer and warmer.

Along with this, the people living on these mountains face many difficulties too. On mountains with glaciers, the thousand-year-old ice has begun to melt away. This has a very bad effect on the freshwater supply of people living at the base of mountains.

And these are only the observable effects- as time will go by, the devastating effects will reach people living in non-mountainous regions too.

International Mountain Day aims to control these negative impacts. Devoting one day in a year to mountains helps to raise awareness about their current state and enlightens people. By celebrating International Mountain Day, we all come closer together to indulge in doing something for nature- just for one day. Today, over 78 countries and 130 major organizations are a part of International Mountain Day.

International Mountain Day 2021

The theme of last year was “Sustainable Mountain Tourism.” It was a great event and celebrations were according to tradition, on the 11th of December. While this was the official theme, due to the restrictions imposed due to COVID-19, it was also acceptable to host themes of your own.

Mountain tourism is a very popular form of destination traveling, and almost 20% of the tourism industry booms on mountains. Unfortunately, though, because of the COVID-19 Pandemic, tourism has suffered a massive loss.

Sales have gone down by huge numbers, and mountains popular with tourists are now deserted. However, IMD 2021 plans to use this crisis to reimagine and rebuild mountain tourism. We can manage it in a better way than earlier by adopting more eco-friendly methods.

Sustainable tourism in the mountains will aid in creating more jobs and providing a livelihood for thousands. But at the same time, it will also ensure that the landscape and biodiversity remain conserved. Promoting the local crafts, indigenous products, and celebrating traditions will preserve the cultural and spiritual heritage of mountains.

International Mountain Day 2022

Mountain day 2022 was on the 11th of December 2022. Mountain areas rely heavily on women to protect the environment and promote social and economic development.

Men often migrate elsewhere in search of alternative livelihoods because of increasing climate variability and a lack of investment in mountain agriculture. Despite taking on many tasks previously done by men, mountain women remain in the shadows due to unequal accessibility to resources and a lack of decision-making power.

Therefore, the theme of International Mountain Day 2022 was “Women Move Mountains.”

By engaging in gender transformative change, we have the potential to trigger a real change in the direction of sustainable development in a positive way.

In rural areas, women can be a driving force against poverty, malnutrition, and hunger if they have equal access to resources, opportunities, and services. In addition, they are active in the development of mountain economies.

As sellers on the local market, self-employed women, farmers, entrepreneurs, artisans, community leaders, artisans, mountain women, and girls can all make a big positive difference in rural areas. We all have to support them.

International Mountain Day 2023

The theme for International Mountain Day 2023 was “Restoring Mountain Ecosystems.” In this theme, the UN Environment Programme and the Food and Agriculture Organization recognized the importance of mountains in the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration 2021-2030.

“Five Years of Action for the Development of Mountain Regions” was declared by the UN General Assembly to promote sustainable development in mountain regions between 2023 and 2027.

Approximately 84% of endemic mountain species were at risk because of climate change and unsustainable development. Temperatures were rising, and water flow was changing. Therefore, there was no better time than then to raise awareness about mountain ecosystems and take action to protect them from climate change.

International Mountain Day 2024

International Mountain Day 2024 was observed on December 11. The theme was “Mountain solutions for a sustainable future – innovation, adaptation, youth and beyond.” The celebration aimed to find new ways to solve the problems faced by mountain communities, adjust to climate change, and give young people the power to shape a lasting future. The focus was on using digital tools to monitor changes, adopting farming methods suited to shifting weather, and using local knowledge for managing resources.

People around the world hosted events to spread awareness about the importance of mountains. The events included online talks, photo contests, art shows, hikes, and learning workshops. Participants shared their mountain experiences and joined the online conversation using the hashtag #MountainsMatter.

In Nepal, December 11 was a holiday with activities centered on mountain protection. Other countries and groups also organized events based on their own needs and priorities.

International Mountain Day 2025

International Mountain Day in 2025 will take place on 11 December. The United Nations and the Food and Agriculture Organization will lead the activities for the day. The theme for 2025 is “Glaciers matter for water, food and livelihoods in mountains and beyond.”

This theme highlights a growing issue. Glaciers are shrinking fast because of rising temperatures. When glaciers melt at a rapid pace, the water stored inside them gets released in a short time. Glaciers hold a large portion of the world’s freshwater. Communities living around mountain regions depend on this water for drinking, farming, and even producing energy through hydropower.

The loss of glaciers puts many people at risk. Farmers face water shortage. Rivers that once flowed throughout the year now show uneven water flow. Many families who depend on seasonal meltwater for farming have already seen changes in their crops. In many countries, melting glaciers also raise the danger of floods and landslides.

2025 has also been declared the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation. This decision shows how serious the global concern has become. Glaciers act as long-term water banks for millions of people worldwide. When they disappear, the impact does not stay limited to mountains. People living in plains and big cities also face water-related problems.

Saving glaciers means saving the future. Even small actions make a difference. Learning about mountains, respecting water resources, reducing waste, and supporting eco-friendly tourism are ways one can contribute. The aim is simple — protect the glaciers now so that the water source remains for tomorrow.

How to Celebrate International Mountain Day?

There are many ways to care for mountains, even if you live far away from them.
Choose products that come from mountain communities, like herbal tea, natural honey, or handmade textiles. When you support these products, you support the people who protect forests, glaciers, and clean water sources.

You can also take direct action. Join or support groups working for mountain conservation. Share what you learn with your family and friends. When more people understand why mountains matter, more people will take action.

Ways to take part in International Mountain Day:

• Share mountain photos or facts using #MountainsMatter.
• Host a small event and send the details to FAO for recognition.
• Organize presentations, quizzes, or art activities to inspire students.
• Join clean-up drives on mountain trails. Pick up trash and leave no waste.
• Go for a hike if you live near a mountain. Stay on marked paths to protect soil and plants.
• Plant trees around mountain areas. Trees stop soil erosion and protect springs.
• Learn about mountain culture and try a recipe from a mountain region.
• Donate to trusted groups that support mountain families and water conservation.
• Avoid buying products linked to deforestation or mining in mountain regions.
• Reduce plastic use. Most of the trash found on trails is plastic waste left by tourists.
• Support eco-friendly travel companies that respect local people and protect the environment.
• Read books or watch documentaries on mountain ecosystems and share your takeaways with others.
• Encourage schools or offices to host awareness activities about glaciers and mountain water sources.
• Save water at home. When we waste water, pressure on mountain water sources increases.
• Choose digital tickets instead of printed ones when visiting tourist spots to reduce paper waste.

Every action helps. When you care for mountains, you protect water, wildlife, and the people who depend on them.

Conclusion

It is important to remember that the International Mountain Day is not only about the mountains, but it is also about the efforts put forward by people and communities who live in these landscapes and who strive to preserve these landscapes. A mountain is a part of our existence, it offers us clean water, a wealth of bio-diversity, and a beautiful view on the landscape. They are the best creation of nature which provides not only the support to the ecosystem but also to numerous communities.

Thus, acknowledging their significance, we would like to convey our appreciation and concern for these splendid views. We should go on maintaining our mountains to be healthy and lively so that the next generations will be able to have an experience of this form of amusement. It is true that every little step that we take today contributes to the conservation of the mountains of the future.