16th Himalaya Diwas Observed Across India on 9 September 2025.

Himalaya Diwas is observed annually on 9 September to emphasize the ecological and cultural significance of the Himalayan mountain range. The year 2025 marks the 16th edition of this observance.

      - Himalaya Diwas was first observed in Uttarakhand in 2010, initiated by environmentalists Sunderlal Bahuguna, Anil Prakash Joshi, and Radha Behen.

      - In 2014, Harish Rawat, then Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, officially declared 9 September as ‘Himalaya Diwas’. The first state-recognized observance was held on 9 September 2015.

Main Point :-   (i) The name “Himalayas” comes from Sanskrit: “Hima” means snow, and “Alaya” means dwelling, reflecting the snow-covered mountains.

      (ii) The Himalayas extend across eight South Asian territories: Afghanistan, Pakistan, China, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar.

(iii) In India, the IHR spans 2,500 km across 13 States/Union Territories, highlighting its ecological and cultural importance.