Water


Each day, one of every two people on the planet quenches his thirst with water that originates in mountains.
And as the world population swells to an estimated 9.6 billion by 2050, the worldwide demand for freshwater will continue to soar.

More than half of humanity relies on mountain freshwater for everyday life. The ten largest rivers originating in the Hindu Kush Himalayas alone supply water to over 1.35 billion people. Some of the world’s largest cities, including New York, Rio de Janeiro, Nairobi, Tokyo and Melbourne, are dependent on freshwater from mountains.

Climate change is already causing more than 600 glaciers to disappear, resulting in springs and rivers drying up. Greater frequency of extreme weather events, droughts and floods, including flash floods and glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), are also expected to increase in mountains, causing imbalance between current water supply and demand.

Given the importance of mountain water resources worldwide, the careful management of mountain water resources is a global priority.  Water management practices need to be adapted to different climatic zones, using locally adapted soil and water management techniques. Most importantly, watershed management must take into account the needs of all those who depend on mountain water, including those who have the greatest stake in preserving healthy mountain ecosystems – people who live in mountain areas themselves, who are often marginalized from the decision-making processes. 

An article inspired by Mount Chirripó, Costa Rica

An article inspired by Mount Chirripó, Costa Rica

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Mountains have, over the centuries, inspired humanity artistically, spiritually and culturally. Oscar Esquivel Garrote, a biologist and worker in the Amistad Pacífico Conservation Area of the Costa Rican National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC), was inspired by Chirripó National Park to write the article “Turismo insólito en las...

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New programme and course on mountain EbA

New programme and course on mountain EbA

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The Mountain Institute (TMI) launched its new Mountain Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) Programme, which seeks to increase the use of ecosystem-based approaches to help mountain communities adapt to climate change. The three-year programme will expand the use of nature-based solutions in key mountain areas of Nepal, Peru and Uganda...

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Eighth meeting of rural Andean peoples closes

Eighth meeting of rural Andean peoples closes

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More than 100 rural leaders, researchers and development partners from Bolivia (Plurinational State of), Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Nigeria and Peru met in San Pedro de Atacama, Chile on 12-15 October 2017 to exchange their experiences on the lifestyles of Andean communities, agriculture and water harvesting. The eighth International Meeting...

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Climate Change, Food Security and Freshwater: Tackling Constraints and Nurturing Opportunities in Mountain Regions

Climate Change, Food Security and Freshwater: Tackling Constraints and Nurturing Opportunities in Mountain Regions

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Coinciding with World Food Day on 16 October, the Karnali Integrated Rural Development and Research Centre (KIRDARC) and the Nepalese Civil Society Mountain Initiative (NCSMI), together with the Ministry of Population and Environment of Nepal, the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) and Kathmandu University...

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8th International Meeting of Rural Andean Peoples

8th International Meeting of Rural Andean Peoples

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The eighth International Meeting of Rural Andean Peoples will be held in San Pedro De Atacama, Chile on 12-15 October 2017. Organized by the village of Lickanantay, Red de Agroindustria Rural del Perú (REDAR Perú), the Programme for the Development of Rural Agricultural Production of the Peruvian Ministry...

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1st West African Mountain Forum

1st West African Mountain Forum

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West Africa is a sub-region that has an abundance of ecosystems, including - among others - mountains. Although not necessarily impressive in terms of altitude, West African mountains are high in biodiversity, and they play an important role in the overall sustainable development of the sub-region. Many West African communities...

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