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| International Mountain Day Celebrated |
Ras
Al Khaimah: “Almost one billion people live in mountain areas, and over half
the human population depends on mountains for water, food and clean energy. Yet
mountains are under threat from climate change, land degradation, over
exploitation and natural disasters, with potentially far-reaching and
devastating consequences, both for mountain communities and the rest of the
world.,” said Sandeep Marwah Ambassador of International Human Rights
Organization affiliated to United Nations and International Bar Association at
Hotel Waldorf Astoria at Ras Al Khaimah, UAE.
Marwah
gave the following statistics while talking to the press on International
Mountain Day. Mountains cover around 22 percent of the earth's land
surface and are home to 13 percent of the world’s population.
They
provide sustenance and well being for 915 million people, but also indirectly
benefit billions more living downstream.
Ninety
percent of the world’s mountain dwellers live in developing countries, where a
vast majority live below the poverty line and 1 out of 3 faces the threat of
food insecurity.
Mountains
provide 60 to 80 percent of the world's freshwater without which sustainable
development, that aims to eliminate poverty and hunger would not be possible.
Mountains
have a key role to play in providing renewable energy, especially through
hydropower, solar power, wind power and biogas.
