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11th Dec 2021 11:12:PM Editorials
The International Mountain Day is celebrated on December 11 every year with an aim to encourage sustainable development in mountains. Sustainable mountain tourism is the theme of this year’s IMD. Sustainable tourism in mountains can contribute to creating additional and alternative livelihood options and promoting poverty alleviation, social inclusion, as well as landscape and biodiversity conservation.
This year's theme of sustainable mountain tourism comes at a time when waste crisis in the hill stations of India has become a huge matter of concern especially the growing plastic pollution and its impact on mountain landscapes. As more tourists make their way to mountain states including Arunachal, they leave behind ecological footprint. As footfalls increase, wastes especially plastic wastes are dumped along the tourist circuit. Packaging of potato chips, plastic water/juice bottles etc can be found in the remotest of locations, a telling sign that things will only get worse if steps are not taken. There is an urgent need for policymakers to deliberate on potential solutions and policy mechanisms that can effectively tackle the plastic waste in the mountains.
Mountains are home to 15% of the world's population and host about half of the world's biodiversity hotspots. They provide fresh water for everyday life to half of humanity. Their conservation is a key factor for sustainable development. They are increasingly under threat due to the climate crisis and plastic waste crisis is emerging to be another huge threat.
International Mountain Day gives us an opportunity to spread awareness about protecting the mountain biodiversity as these delicate ecosystems are under tremendous pressure from climate change, overexploitation, and pollution. Our lawmakers must understand the importance of the day and take action.
Kenter Joya Riba
(Managing Editor)She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313
