Happy International Mountain Day 2019, readers! The International Day is a United Nations (UN) observance day which is celebrated across the globe annually. The major celebrations of International Mountain Day are seen in the United States of America (USA) and Japan, where students take a day off and go on mountains and treks. International Mountain Day is celebrated to highlight the "importance of sustainable mountain development".

When do we celebrate International Mountain Day 2019?

The International Day will be celebrated on December 11 this year, which will fall on Wednesday. The global event is observed by a lot of countries around the world in a grandeur manner.

It was on December 11, 2003, when the UN-designated this date as the International Mountain Day. Since then, the event follows a particular theme announced by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations.

What is the official theme of International Mountain Day 2019?

This year, the theme of International Mountain Day 2019 is 'Mountains Matters to the Youth'. The theme highlights the importance of mountains for the rural youth and how it matters to them in their daily lives.

The 2019 theme of International Mountains Day also suggests that how the migration of the youth from the mountain areas leads to loss of agriculture, ancient customs and cultural traditions, land etc. Not only that, but the theme also focusses on how education, tourism, and other employment activities are affected as well, which is directly and indirectly connected to the young populace living in such regions.

What is the significance of International Mountain Day?

Given how the climactic scene is prevalent in the country currently, people must be made aware and educated about climate change and its hazardous effects. This rise in temperatures, and sea levels, have seen a lot of people flock from mountainous regions. The development in parts of the world has propelled the degradation of the environment at large.

Here are some quick facts that will make you understand the gravity of the situation. As per the UN's data:

1. Mountains cover 27% of the Earth's land surface

2. 6 of the 20 most important food crops originate in mountains

3. More than half of humanity relies on mountain freshwater for everyday life

It is crucial to bring issues of environmental problems at the forefront as mountains provide habitat to more than 15% of the world's population and nearly 50% of flora and fauna. Their growth and sustainable development are some of the core reasons to celebrate International Mountain Day.

It is essential to know about the conservation of mountains and the living beings on it. The problem doesn't affect people, animals, and plants but the issues snowball and create troubles for us eventually. Hence, along with development, one has also to ensure that the health of mountainous regions is not compromised. As we celebrate the special day on December 11, we wish you all a very 'Happy International Mountains Day', and hope you contribute your bit towards a clean and green environment.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 11, 2019 08:15 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).