International Mountain Day 2025

International Mountain Day 2025 was celebrated under the leadership of the Government of Nepal, Ministry of Forests and Environment, bringing together policymakers, development partners, experts, youth, and community representatives. The event served as a meaningful platform to reflect on the outcomes of COP30, advance Nepal’s Mountain Agenda, and share the draft Nepal Mountain Resilience Strategy.

Mountains are the lifelines, from the Himalayas to the plains, they act as our water towers, sustaining food security, livelihoods, and cultural heritage for millions. Yet these lifelines are under growing threat. Around 80% of the 13 million people living in Nepal’s hills and mountains depend on springs. Research by the Youth Alliance for Environment- YAE, which inventoried and mapped over thousands of springs across major watersheds of Nepal, reveals that nearly 70% of spring sources are declining, with significant reductions in flow over the past decade.

As climate change accelerates glacier melt, spring drying, and disaster risks, mountain communities remain on the frontlines. Protecting mountains, therefore, means safeguarding water security, resilient livelihoods, and climate justice not only for Nepal,

Youth Alliance for Environment- YAE is proud to be part of this important dialogue and is grateful for the opportunity to contribute to advancing the mountain agenda.