Policy makers in the region should integrate conservation of mountains into national policies to benefit communities living near them, participants at the first ever African Mountains Regional Forum said last week.

Robert Wabunoha, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Africa Legal Officer, said that the move would give legal backing for protection of mountains.      

The three-day forum in Arusha, Tanzania, was  organised by the Albertine Rift Conservation Society (ARCOS), the East African Community, the Austrian Development Cooperation, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and the UNEP.

"For decades, mountains have failed to attract interests of policymakers despite the role they play in among others, improving the livelihoods of those settling around them. It is therefore high time that leaders take a step to protect and preserve mountains to benefit the population in general,” said Wabunoha.

Participants from about 20 African countries and representatives of regional bodies such as the Economic Community of West African States and Southern African Development Community attended. It brought together high level decision-makers and senior government officials, researchers, civil society and the private sector representatives.

The forum aimed at crafting a coordinated strategy to promote sustainable mountain development in Africa.

Dr Taru Phill of Chinhoyi University of Technology in Zimbabwe, said lack of policies to protect mountains had caused the continued degradation.

"Roads are being constructed on mountains; grazing is another threat while illegal mining has reached an advanced stage of destruction on the environment,” he said.  

The East African Community Deputy Secretary General, Jessica Eriyo, observed that weak institutional, legal and regulatory frameworks for environmental and natural resources management and governance are a threat and risk to retard and reverse social economic development gains.