Karnali Integrated Rural Development and Research Center (KIRDARC) Nepal and Ministry of Science Technology and Environment (MOSTE) have jointly organized national conference to address the issues of Nepal Mountain and Livelihood of Mountain People. It took stock of the various challenges that climate change poses in Karnali and Mountain Areas of Nepal.

The conference recognized that climate change is one of the greatest challenges of the Mountain people and the actions should be taken without further delay to protect the rights of Mountain people.

Mountains cover around 25% of the earth’s land surface and host about 13% of the world population and are perennial providers of essential ecosystem goods and services to billions of people living in the mountains and downstream.

The world is marking December 11 as International Mountain Day after the United Nations General Assembly designated the day for the development of mountains and high lands across the globe.

“Marking the day in Nepal, a home to eight Himalayas out of 14 mountains above 8000 meters in the words in addition to others highlands, has a great significance at a time when world is discussing over mountain and climate change issues in Lima, Peru,” said Kushendra Bahadur Mahat Chairperson, KIRDARC Nepal.

“We are marking this special day while the United Nations Framework for Climate Change Conference of Parties (COP-20) underway in Lima, Capital of Peru, from December 1. With the snow-capped mountains continue to melt, people residing around this high lands are facing adverse impacts in their livelihood,” said

The frequent avalanches on the Mt. Everest and blizzards in famous Annapurna Trekking circle show climate change has posed a serious implication in Nepal’s mountain. Nepal, a leading mountainous country, which also heads LDCs, needs to raise voice about the consequences of climate change to protect and promote the rights of mountain communities Nepal.