Malawi commemorates World Mountain Day

Malawi: The United Nations says mountains house 15% of the world's population and contain roughly half of the world's biodiversity hotspots. They provide fresh water for half of humanity's daily needs.

Their conservation is a critical component of sustainable development and is included in SDG 15 of the SDGs.

The UN goes on to say that this problem affects us all and that we must all work together to reduce our carbon footprint and protect these natural treasures. It goes on to say that communities and friends should plan an event or join the conversation on social media with the hashtag #MountainsMatter.

22 years ago, the world recognised the importance of mountains, prompting the United Nations to declare 2002 the UN International Year of Mountains. The first international day was commemorated the following year, in 2003.

This year's International Mountain Day theme is "Women Move Mountains."

The theme was chosen because women play an important role in environmental protection as well as social and economic development in mountains.

They are frequently the primary managers of mountain resources, protectors of biodiversity, keepers of traditional knowledge, keepers of local culture, and traditional medicine experts.

This year's International Mountain Day provides an opportunity to promote gender equality and thus help to improve social justice, livelihoods, and resilience.

Malawi began commemorating this day with a walk on Senga hill in Senga Bay, Salima, and trees have been planted in various locations, including Mulanje Mountain in southern Malawi.