Category: Environment

Over 15% of the world's population live in a mountain environment. The world's mountains provide freshwater for everyday life to half of humanity and one third of plant species are found there. Yet this precious environment is under threat not only from climate change but from man's influence too. In order to raise awareness of the importance of the mountain environment to our planet, the United Nations declared 2002 the UN International Year of Mountains. Every year since, on the 11th December, International Mountain Day has been celebrated, with a different theme each year. In 2020 the theme is Mountain Diversity which is, not surprisingly, a theme that's very close to our hearts here in the Pyrenees mountains. Diversity in the Pyrenees mountains The importance of the diversity of life in the Pyrenees cannot be underestimated. The ecosystems, flora and fauna of several areas of the Pyrenees are protected through projects such as Natura2000 and the National Park organisations. There are three spectacularly beautiful National Parks in the Pyrenees. On the French side there is the Pyrenees National Park and, across the border in Spain, the Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici and Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Parks. Created in 1967, the Pyrenees National Park is one of the oldest in France and also one of the richest in terms of the diversity of its flora and fauna. The park includes one of our favourite areas in the whole of the Pyrenees, the Neouvielle Natural Park, an area of stunning lakes, dramatic peaks and wooded landscapes. It's a mecca for nature enthusiasts and hikers who can stay overnight in a mountain refuge and observe the Milky Way from beside one of these pristine lakes. It's also worth mentioning Natura 2000, the largest coordinated network of protected areas in the ...