Pakistan Mountain Festival From December 2

News Desk

Islamabad/Rawalpindi: The 13th Pakistan Mountain Festival will mark International Mountain Day this year with a series of events including hiking, environmental awareness activities, and cultural showcases, organizers announced.

The festival kicks off on December 2 with Trail-3 hiking in the Margalla Hills, alongside cleanup drives and biodiversity talks. On December 4, a live painting competition on the theme “Mountain Ecosystem” will be held at Fatima Jinnah Women University (FJWU) in Rawalpindi, followed by an exhibition of the artworks.

Other festival highlights include the Pakistan Mountain Youth Forum, documentary screenings, displays of mountain products, and cultural performances.

Munir Ahmed, Executive Director of Devcom-Pakistan and founder of the festival, said the grand finale will feature a conference on mountain conservation, sustainable tourism, and cultural heritage in the changing climate.

Attendees can also enjoy mountain food stalls, handicrafts, folklore, and performances by troupes from Gilgit, Baltistan, Hunza, Chitral, and Swat.

The festival will also present the 4th Pakistan Mountains Pride Awards (PAMPA) and Friends of Mountains Awards (FOMA) to honor individuals and professionals dedicated to mountain conservation and culture.

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Key award categories include the Agostino Da Polenza Mountain Conservation Award, Shoaib Sultan Khan Mountain Community Development Awards, Nazir Sabir Mountaineering Awards, Ashraf Aman Sustainable Mountain Tourism Award, Ustad Jan Ali Mountain Music Awards, and the Raja Changez Sultan Himalayan Odyssey Award for mountain-themed art.

Support for the awards ceremony comes from the National Rural Support Programme (NRSP) and the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF).

Munir Ahmed emphasized the festival’s mission: “The impact of climate change on mountains, ecosystems, and local communities often goes unnoticed until a major disaster strikes.

Mountains, their people, and cultural heritage remain neglected. Through this festival, we aim to bring these issues to the forefront and engage both mountain communities and those living downstream who rely on these resources.”

He added, “Pakistan is among the most climate-vulnerable countries, and mountain communities — especially women — face the greatest risks. The festival is a platform to highlight these challenges while celebrating the natural and cultural wealth of our mountains.”

The Pakistan Mountain Festival continues to serve as a platform for conservation advocacy, sustainable development, and cultural preservation, drawing attention to the vital role of mountains in the country’s ecological and cultural landscape.