Each day, one of every two people on the planet quenches his thirst with water that originates in mountains. And as the world population swells to an estimated 9.6 billion by 2050, the worldwide demand for freshwater will continue to soar.
More than half of humanity relies on mountain freshwater for everyday life. The ten largest rivers originating in the Hindu Kush Himalayas alone supply water to over 1.35 billion people. Some of the world’s largest cities, including New York, Rio de Janeiro, Nairobi, Tokyo and Melbourne, are dependent on freshwater from mountains.
Climate change is already causing more than 600 glaciers to disappear, resulting in springs and rivers drying up. Greater frequency of extreme weather events, droughts and floods, including flash floods and glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), are also expected to increase in mountains, causing imbalance between current water supply and demand.
Given the importance of mountain water resources worldwide, the careful management of mountain water resources is a global priority. Water management practices need to be adapted to different climatic zones, using locally adapted soil and water management techniques. Most importantly, watershed management must take into account the needs of all those who depend on mountain water, including those who have the greatest stake in preserving healthy mountain ecosystems – people who live in mountain areas themselves, who are often marginalized from the decision-making processes.
![]() Mountain Research and Development issue onlinenewsThe papers in the latest issue of the journal Mountain Research and Development (MRD) analyze gender-inclusive nettle value chain development in western Nepal, discuss the impact of Swiss government policy on maintaining high-mountain pasturing in the Alps, present an agronomic study of an endangered landrace of runner bean in Italy... Read more » |
![]() Explorers carry MP flag to the Arcticnews“The Last Ice” is a project of exploration, adventure and science on some of the last frozen lakes of the northern hemisphere. A team of three athletes – climber and author Paku Crestas, entrepreneur and writer Albert Bosch and climber Pepe Ivars – with vast experience in extreme environments will... Read more » |
![]() ICENECDEV at the Mount Cameroon Race of HopenewsThe Mount Cameroon Race of Hope is an international mountain race organized every year in the month February by the Government of Cameroon together with partners. This year, the athletic competition was organized on 17 February 2018 with the participation of more than 226 athletes from nine countries. Simultaneously, on... Read more » |
![]() MP members' statement for CSW62 acceptedpeak to peakIssue 113 – Month 3 – Year 2018 The March issue of Peak to Peak opens with a news about Mountain Parternship members' joint written statement being accepted for presentation during the upcoming 62nd session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW62). The newsletter continues with stories... Download » |
![]() Mountains and cities, rural-urban dynamicsnewsOn 5-8 February 2017, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) headquarters in Rome, Italy, hosted a workshop on rural-urban dynamics. The workshop “Feeding the cities: promoting food security and nutrition in an urbanizing world” was organized by the Università degli Studi di Roma ‘Tor... Read more » |
![]() Mountain Watersheds and Ecosystem Services: Balancing multiple demands of forest management in head-watershedspublicationThe European Forestry Commission Working Party on the Management of Mountain Watersheds (EFC WPMMW) met for its 30th session in Pieve Tesino, Italy on 22-24 September 2015. The session focused on "Mountain Watersheds and Ecosystem Services: Balancing multiple demands of forest management in head-watersheds". The following publication is the proceedings... Download » |
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