On the human side, there is widespread poverty among mountain inhabitants and loss of indigenous knowledge. As a result, most global mountain areas are experiencing environmental degradation. Hence, the proper management of mountain resources and socio-economic development of the people deserves immediate action. About 10 per cent of the world's population depends on mountain resources. A much larger percentage draws on other mountain resources, including and especially water.
Mountains are a storehouse of biological diversity and endangered species.
Two programme areas are included in this chapter to further elaborate the problem of fragile ecosystems with regard to all mountains of the world. Mountains are highly vulnerable to human and natural ecological imbalance. Mountains are the areas most sensitive to all climatic changes in the atmosphere. Specific information on ecology, natural resource potential and socio-economic activities is essential. Mountain and hillside areas hold a rich variety of ecological systems.