World’s mountain ranges endangered, UN warns

January 28, 2002
Source: Toronto Star
Original story - link verified on February 1, 2002

Wars, pollution and logging are despoiling the world's mountain ranges — the Alps, the Rockies and the Hindu Kush are most threatened, according to a UN study released today. Mountains are the "water towers of the world," supplying more than half the world's population, said the report by the Tokyo-based United Nations University. But 23 of the world's 27 current conflicts — from Afghanistan to Chechnya and Kashmir — are being fought in mountainous areas and are destroying the environment, the study said. But non-violent activities are scarring mountain ecology as well. The Rockies are being hurt by new home building, skiing and other recreational activities that gobble up virgin lands, the study said. Industrial pollution from toxic mine tailings affects the Colorado Rockies, said mountain expert Jack Ives, who contributed to the UN document. Canada's first national park, Banff — crown jewel of the system — faces serious danger of being overdeveloped, Ives said. The once pristine mountain valleys of the Alps "are now a litter of cable cars, ski lifts, tourists facilities and car parks," the study said.

Related stories: UN report on mountain ecology