Today is International Mountain Day

Today is International Mountain Day. The United Nations declared December 11 as International Mountain Day, with a view to improving the quality of life and sustainable future of the people living in the Highlands in 2003. Since then, the day has been celebrated with due dignity in different countries every year. The day will be observed by the UN member states under the theme 'Sustainable Mountain Tourism'. On this occasion, there are special programs in the hilly areas of the country including Dhaka.

It is said that about one tenth of the world's population lives in the highlands. The mountains supply the world with almost half the fresh water it needs, and it contains many species of plants and animals.

Needless to say, the mountains are a wonderful gift of nature. The hilly region is one-fifth of the total land area of ​​Bangladesh. Eight per cent of the hilly areas are located in the eastern and north-eastern regions. The remaining ten percent are located in other parts of the country. There are several hummock and hills in Sylhet region. This beautiful place of nature, attracts the attention of local and foreign tourists. But these hills are being destroyed.

In the highlands of the country, the news of hill cutting often comes in the media. Which is very worrying. Deforestation is destroying forests and landslides are also happening. Most importantly, deforestation is eroding the ecological balance, accelerating the adverse effects of global climate change. Moreover, as a result of the destruction of mountains, the course of the river is changing, the biodiversity is being destroyed, and the temperature in the environment is rising.

The peace agreement of December 2, 1997 has affected the quality of life in the highlands of the country. Radical changes have taken place in every sector of the region including education, health, electricity, communication, mobile network. Now we need to think a lot about the protection of forests and biodiversity.

On the occasion of the day, there are special programs in the hilly areas of the country including Dhaka. A discussion meeting has been organized at 11:30 am at the Chittagong Hill Tracts Complex on Bailey Road in Dhaka. Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Minister Bir Bahadur Ushaisingh will be the chief guest.

Besides, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have given separate messages on the occasion of the day.