ISLAMABAD, Dec 10: The International Mountain Day (IMD) is being observed on Monday (today) under the theme “Managing Mountain Biodiversity for Better Lives” to highlight the importance of mountain ecosystems and the unique needs of mountain communities.

To observe the day, Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) is organising a photographic exhibition in collaboration with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The exhibition would be inaugurated by Federal Minister for Information Mohammad Ali Durrani at Media City, Blue Area, here on Monday.

The Alpine Club of Pakistan is also organising a hiking competition at Trail-3 Margalla Hills at 9 am for the youth. Prizes would also be given to the winners.

A photographic exhibition titled “Stairway to Heaven” is being organized concurrently in Islamabad and Kathmandu. A selected set of photographs from Pakistan and Nepal depicting various mountain themes would be put on display to highlight the tourism potential of mountain regions in the two countries.