Tag: international mountain day theme

As the world is observing International Mountain Day 2020 on Friday with the theme Mountain Biodiversity, the Himalayan mountains in Himachal are breathing freely, at least this year, due to Coviv-19 pandemic. According to the UN, environmental changes have posed great challenges to the mountain people around the world who are dependent on the mountains for livelihood. While precious flora and fauna in the mountains witnessed least human disturbance this year, scientists claimed that Covid-19 imposed lockdown helped unprecedented growth of the flora at many Himalayan regions.Meanwhile, with almost no commercial mountaineering activities this year, the livelihood of thousands of people is at stake. Meanwhile, with almost no commercial mountaineering activities this year, the livelihood of thousands of people is at stake. The mountaineering industry of Himachal, which includes climbing expeditions to peaks, long and short treks, rock climbing and day hiking, is paused since March when nationwide lockdown was imposed. The peak mountaineering activities begin in May and last till November.A large number of foreigners also visit the state for these eco-friendly activities. This year mountains had a pin-drop silence. There was no one to climb the peaks, no new attempts were made to climb virgin peaks, and there were no trekking or rock climbing activities. A large number of foreigners also visit the state for these eco-friendly activities. This year mountains had a pin-drop silence. There was no one to climb the peaks, no new attempts were made to climb virgin peaks, and there were no trekking or rock climbing activities. According to Adventure Tour Operators Association president Roshan Thakur, thousands of people including operators, guides, porters, cooks and helpers are associated with this industry only from Himachal.“Most of them could not earn a single rupee this year. Some of us restarted work in October but it was