The United Nations has declared 2002 as Year of the Mountain to encourage the recognition of mountains as important and fragile ecosystems providing a rich biodiversity, sources of water, human society and recreational activities.

The Press Release reads:

The degradation of mountain environments poses a serious threat not only to the world's water resources but also to biodiversity, food security and cultural diversity, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warned today as intense preparations continued for the International Year of Mountains, to be celebrated in 2002.

The International Year of Mountains promotes the conservation and sustainable development of mountain regions, thereby ensuring the well-being of both mountain inhabitants -- whose livelihoods, opportunities and overall well- being are at stake -- and lowland communities.

Mountains are fragile ecosystems which are globally important as water towers of the earth, repositories of rich biological diversity, popular destinations for recreation and tourism and areas of important cultural heritage. Mountains provide a direct life-support base for about one-tenth of humankind. They also provide 30 to 60 per cent of downstream fresh water in humid areas and up to 70-95 per cent in semi-arid to arid environments, according to FAO.

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