Mountain forests under spotlight on World Mountain Day

KATHMANDU: On the occasion of the International Mountain Day, ICIMOD is oragnising various programmes at its Headquarters in the Capital on Thursday to mark the day. The day is being celebrated across the globe today.

The programmes organised with the theme ‘Mountain Forests: Binding Nature, Culture, and Development’, will include a real-time panel discussion among Asia-Pacific and European experts and mountain communities on the importance of mountains.

The main highlights of the event will be the launch of the World Mountain Forum for Sustainable development (WMF-for-SD), organised by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), which will link celebrations across four continents – Asia, Europe, Latin America, and North America – via video conference, said ICIMOD in a statement.

Giving a message on the occasion, ICIMOD Director General Molden highlighted the theme which seeks to review global consciousness among forest-dependent communities, the public and policy makers of the central role of forests in addressing a wide range of conservation socioeconomic, and climate change challenges.

Molden further informed that the ICIMOD is making concerted efforts to meet the objectives of the International Year of Forests 2011 with its regional partners. “ICIMOD contributes to sustainable forest management by developing solutions in light of complex drivers of change and promoting these through knowledge sharing activities in the Himalayan Region."

On the occasion he also urged the policy makers and practitioners to improve and adopt management of forests and landscapes in governance to secure and sustain forest ecosystem. Continuous supply of mountain ecosystem goods and services to millions in the region is essential for poverty reduction, economic growth, and the environment.