News

Commemorating IMD in Asia and MENA

13.01.2020

International Mountain Day (IMD) 2019 was widely celebrated by many organizations in Asia and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). IMD celebrations spanned the region: events were held in India, Nepal, and the Philippines, Russia, Pakistan, Turkey, Algeria and Saudi Arabia.

Many events were held in India, touching on topics like education, Himalayan culture, youth and art. From 5 to 10 December, RCE Srinagar and the Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University (HNBGU) instructed 36 teachers from Uttarakhand on reorienting education towards environmental sustainability. The programme addressed many topics, such as using education to achieve the sustainable development goals, understanding environmental sustainability and becoming disaster resilient. The Central Himalayan Institute for Nature and Applied Research (CHINAR) celebrated the ecological and cultural heritage of the Indian Himalaya in Liti village, Bageshwar, Uttarakhand. The festival was attended by more than 1 200 people and more than 200 people performed traditional dances and more. The Himalayan Forest Research Institute (HFRI) celebrated IMD 2019 on 11 December at its campus in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India. A keynote address was delivered on the 2019 theme, “Mountains matter for youth”, which was followed by discussions among scientists, researchers, HFRI staff and students. The Nilgiri Documentation Centre held a painting class in which indigenous artist Gokul Gowder taught youth how to paint mountain landscapes. The Giripremi Mountaineering Club commemorated IMD 2019 with some of the Sherpa community from Nepal, who have called the mountains home for centuries. The group celebrated with a week of spiritual time, discussions and cultural exchanges, including with local schoolchildren, who learned from the Sherpas about life in the mountains.

In Nepal, youth took part in an educational activity organized by the ENVIS Centre on Forest Genetic Resources and Tree Improvement at the Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding, Coimbatore. Students learned about the importance of mountain regions, including their biodiversity, and explored the Western Ghats region in collaboration with the Tamil Nadu Forest Department. The youth also interacted with local indigenous populations to learn more about conserving mountain forests. In addition, the Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival (KIMFF), a film festival organized by the Himal Association, was held. Each December, the festival brings people together to view mountain films from around the world.

The Development Communications Network (DEVCOM-Pakistan) also held a festival, the 9th edition of the Pakistan Mountain Festival, in Islamabad. The festival began 1 December and concluded on 11 December. Also near Islamabad, National Tourism Pakistan and the Sawar Adventure Club hosted a variety of activities for IMD 2019 on 7 and 8 December. The celebrations included a bonfire, movie night, camping and more.

For the first time, the Baslay Farmer’s Association (BFA) of the Philippines organized an IMD event. The BFA joined forces with local partners to hold a day of events on 11 December, including hiking and the establishment of a native tree nursery. The outdoor recreation was followed by a forum on the importance of the mountains and mountain peoples.

Two high-level IMD celebrations took place in Russia. The MAB-6 Mountain Group of the Institute of Geography, Russian Academy of Sciences, held their annual IMD celebration in Moscow. The event featured two speakers from Tajikistan and Dagestan, who shared their perspectives on how youth perceive development in their mountain communities. Attendees included scientists, politicians, students and members of the representative offices of Russia’s mountainous regions. The Russian Geographical Society itself hosted its annual assembly on mountain issues this IMD. About 40 people, including representatives from Russia’s mountainous regions, attended this year’s event. The assembly analyzed the example of Yagnob National Park, which preserves cultural heritage through young generations.

In Algeria, the eighth National Mountain Festival was held from 19 to 21 December at the Gouraya National Park in Béjaïa. The festival was organized by the park and the Association Assirem Gouraya under the aegis of the Algerian Ski and Mountain Sport Federation and in collaboration with the youth and sports management of Bejaia. The objective of the festival was to develop eco-sports policy and enhance youth’s awareness of mountain sports, nature conservation and sustainable mountain tourism.

The Mountain Coalition observed IMD in Khenifra, Morocco: the capital of the Atlas Mountains. The organization honoured four local youth with the titles of Mountain Ambassadors.

The Saudi Geographical Society organized an IMD event at the Jabal al-Qara mountain and the Al-Ahsa Oasis (a UNESCO World Heritage site), near the city of Al Hofuf. The event included a poster exhibition, lectures and hiking. The group also organized an event in Khamis Mushait, which included exhibitions, lectures, school visits and outdoor activities.

Photo from the Baslay Farmers Association (BFA)