International Mountain Day was created by the United Nations which is celebrated every year on 11 December 2026. This day describes the importance of mountains for people and nature.
About 27% of the Earth’s land is covered by mountains, which provide a home to 15% of the global population and nearly half of the world’s biodiversity hotspots. These mountains work like “water towers,” as they supply freshwater and support farming, clean energy, and wildlife.

On 11 December 2001, a campaign for the International Year of Mountains was launched at the UN Headquarters in New York. In 2002, the International Year of Mountains was held by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) whose main goal was to spread awareness regarding the importance of mountains and to take action to protect them.
On 20 December 2002, when the International Year of Mountains campaign came to an end, the UN decided to make 11th December an official International Mountain Day. This special day is now celebrated every year to keep raising awareness about mountains and to encourage countries to protect them for the people and wildlife who depend on them.
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The theme for International Mountain Day 2026 is "Glaciers matter for water, food and livelihoods in mountains and beyond." This year, the main focus will be on glaciers and how they support life in mountain regions.
Glaciers are very important for livelihoods, but these are melting very fast because of climate change. This is a serious problem for billions of people who depend on glacier melt for their daily needs. If these glaciers keep melting rapidly then it can cause floods, landslides, and damage to communities and infrastructure. Therefore, in 2025, the United Nations declared it the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation, to raise awareness about the urgent need to protect glaciers and mountain ecosystems.
Glaciers are a vital source of freshwater, essential for agriculture, drinking water, clean energy, and much more. Below are some key reasons why glaciers are important:
There are many ways by which you can celebrate International Mountain Day and help in raising awareness about the importance of mountains and glaciers:
In 2026, the theme for International Mountain Day is "Glaciers matter for water, food and livelihoods in mountains and beyond.
You can host nature walks, photo contests, school activities, art exhibitions, webinars, or community clean-ups.
You can join or organise events by registering on the official website of the FAO. You can even share glacier photos and facts on social media with #MountainsMatter.
No, there is no public holiday on International Mountain Day as it is a global observance day.
The International Moutain Day is observed every year on 11th December.

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