Every year on December 11, people around the world celebrate International Mountain Day – a day recognized by the United Nations! This day is dedicated to appreciating the beauty of mountains and recognising their vital role in life on Earth.

Mountains are more than majestic landscapes. They are true lifelines. They supply fresh water to billions of people worldwide, feeding rivers and streams that sustain farms, forests, towns, and cities. Mountains also cradle astonishing biodiversity: from plants to animals, from soil creatures to forest birds. Many species exist only in mountain regions.

Now, where there are mountains, there are usually forests.
And where there are forests, there are trees!

Taurus Mountains in Turkey

Trees in the Mountains

Water & Soil Protection
Mountain forests act like natural sponges. Trees catch rain and even fog, helping water seep slowly into the soil. This reduces erosion, stabilises slopes, and ensures that clean water flows down to rivers and communities below. Without forests, rain washes away topsoil, and soils become thin and unproductive. That is bad for people, animals, and plants. And, harmful to the forests themselves.

Habitat and Biodiversity
In mountain forests, trees create homes for birds, insects, mammals, and plants. They form rich, balanced ecosystems. When forests are healthy, biodiversity thrives! Mountain creatures have places to live, reproduce, and adapt. Forests also help regulate the climate and purify the air. For mountain communities (people living on slopes or valleys), forests offer wood, food, medicinal plants, and a safe place shielded from landslides or floods. It is said that about 15% of the world’s people live in mountain areas, and these regions hold nearly half of the world’s biodiversity hotspots!

Climate & Climate Justice
Planting and protecting trees in the mountains helps fight climate change. Forests capture carbon dioxide from the air and store it in wood and soil. They also help regulate local and global climates by influencing rainfall, clouds, and temperature. For many mountain communities, often among the poorest, healthy forests mean safer homes, stable livelihoods, and a stronger future.

“Horizontal Rain” experienced in the mountains of La Gomera, Canary Islands

A Fun Story about Mountain People

Did you know that the mountain people of La Gomera, Canary Islands, use a whistled language called Silbo Gomero? This “whistle language” is a version of Spanish that condenses its sounds (vowels into two whistles, consonants into four) to communicate across the vast valleys and mountains, allowing messages to travel up to 3 kilometers! Recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage, it’s taught in schools and remains a vital cultural link, helping farmers manage livestock and people stay connected.

An example of a local using “El Silbo”*

What International Mountain Day Calls Us to Do

On December 11, the message of International Mountain Day asks us to care and to act:

Protect existing mountain forests, and do not cut them recklessly. Avoid harmful logging and development on fragile slopes. We can restore and plant trees where forests are degraded. This helps rebuild soil, protect water sources, and renew the cycle of life. Another thing we can do, is to support mountain communities.  We can listen to and uplift indigenous and local people who depend on these forests for their culture, livelihood, and identity. And finally, we can raise awareness and share this message with others!

Mountains and forests matter for all of us. From the rivers we use, to the air we breathe, to the climate we share.

On this day, we wish our global community a wonderful Mountain Day!

On the border between France and Switzerland, the Jura Mountains offer the perfect peaceful retreat for nature lovers.

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References:
United Nations: https://www.un.org/en/observances/mountain-day
FAO: https://www.fao.org/mountain-partnership/events/international-mountain-day/en
UN: https://www.un.org/en/international-mountain-day/page/international-mountain-day-background
UNEP: https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/press-release/world-mountain-day-looking-climate-change-adaptation

*Image source: https://www.elconfidencial.com/medioambiente/naturaleza/2022-01-29/sabados-de-campo-audio-silbo-gomero_3366069/