GILGIT: The University of Baltistan, Skardu, is celebrating the International Mountain Week in collaboration with the UNDP to highlight the importance of protecting mountains and glaciers from environmental pollution.

The celebrations started on Dec 7 and will conclude on Dec 13.

According to a press release issued by the university on Tuesday, speech, drawing, quiz and hiking competitions were being held throughout the week, highlighting the role of youths in protecting mountains, and mitigating imp­acts of environmental deg­radation on mountains.

Students from Shigar, Ghanche, Kharmang and Skardu are participating in the activities.

Talking to Dawn, Vice-Chancellor Dr Mohammad Naeem Khan said the aim of celebrating the mountains week was to create awareness among the citizens, especially students, about the importance of natural resources, glaciers, mountains and possible threats to them from environmental degradation.

He said people were the custodians of mountains, adding a peaceful coexistence of humans with mountains was important.

Published in Dawn, December 10th, 2020