International Mountain Day 2022: Every year on December 11, International Mountain Day is observed to raise awareness of the value of mountains to human life, to highlight the opportunities and challenges of mountain development, and to forge partnerships that will benefit mountain communities and habitats all over the globe.

The UN General Assembly proclaimed 2002 the UN International Year of Mountains and proclaimed December 11 as International Mountain Day starting in 2003. The annual commemoration of the Day is organised by the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to raise awareness of mountain-related issues.

Approximately one-fourth of the territory on Earth is made up of mountainous terrain. With a fifth of the world's population living there, they are significant freshwater resources, hubs of ecological and cultural diversity, and repositories of traditional wisdom.

Over half of mankind receives freshwater from river basins with headwaters in mountains, which is why mountains are frequently referred to as "the water towers" of the world.

About 15 to 20 percent of international tourism is attracted to mountain areas. Low-impact tourism may benefit local economies and food systems while also preserving and valuing alpine environments and their biodiversity.

However, due to environmental deterioration and climate change, mountains are under unheard of strain.

A significant risk factor for local and downstream agriculture, forestry, food production, fisheries, hydropower production, transportation, tourism, recreation, infrastructure, domestic water supply, and human health is the anticipated increase in unpredictability in water availability from mountain rivers.

International Mountain Day is celebrated every year on 11 December to raise awareness and focus on the importance of Mountains not only for our lives but also for inhabitants, the ecosystem, and the environment.