Many people around the world are isolated in conjunction with COVID-19, and the new virtual project may be the perfect moment to escape on a journey of discovery into the mountains. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has launched a virtual tour of four mountain regions as part of the “Wildlife for Life” campaign.
Videos and engrossing quizzes help users learn about conservation efforts for endangered species found in the Tien Shan Mountains of Northern China, the Virunga Mountains of the Congo, the Hindu Kush in Central Asia, and the Carpathians, located between seven European countries.
The mountains serve as a refuge for endangered species of animals and plants. Mountains are home to 15% of the world’s population and about half of the world’s biodiversity hearths. Therefore, their preservation is a key factor for sustainable development, in particular the achievement of SDG 15.
“Agriculture, mining, and logging are all taking toll on mountain biodiversity,” says Susan Gardner, head of Ecosystems at UNEP.
In this regard, the activities of UNEP are aimed at coordinating and promoting the conservation of wildlife biodiversity, as well as the protection of mountain plant and animal species.
Previously, UNEP conducted virtual tours of the oceans, savannas, forests and deserts, helping users to understand that each of these unique ecosystems is important for humanity.
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