International Day of the Tropics 2022

International Day of the Tropics is observed each year on 29th June, this day helps highlight the significance of the tropic regions and the environmental and socio-economic challenges faced by them.

The nations of the tropics are those that fall between the Tropic of Capricorn and the Tropic of Cancer. The majority of Africa, ASEAN countries, Gulf nations, and a significant part of South America fall in the region. The central and the southern parts of India also fall between the two imaginary lines on the globe.

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE TROPICS: HISTORY

The James Cook University of Australia, in collaboration with 11 other research institutions, submitted the first State of the Tropics Report, launched on June 29, 2014. The report looked at several environmental, social and economic issues to understand whether life in the tropics was improving. It notes that the population in the Tropics will rise from 40 per cent to about 50 per cent by 2050.

Major challenges faced by the nations of the Tropics 

1. Poverty and undernourishment.
2. Population explosion.
3. Slum settlements in urban areas.
4. Global warming.
5. Social stigmas.
6. Terrorism and civil unrest.

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE TROPICS: SIGNIFICANCE

The International Day of the Tropics is celebrated every year to bring attention to the myriad challenges faced by the nations in the tropical areas of the Earth and the wide-ranging ramifications of those issues. The annual event also underscores the importance of the countries in the Tropics to help achieve Sustainable Development Goals.