Eastern Himalayas

The region's temperate forests, savannas and grasslands are under pressure from unsustainable harvesting of resources for firewood, food and timber. Some underlying causes of these forces are social, and include a rapidly growing human population, poverty and migration.

Deforestation
Conversion of forest to agriculture land and exploitation of forests for timber, fodder and fuel wood are some of the main threats to biodiversity in this region. Additional threats to these forests include charcoal production in some low elevation areas and intensive grazing at higher elevations.

The need for firewood is not only a burden for nature, but also for women. Within the region, they are responsible for gathering firewood and carrying it home. As the forests disappear, these women need to spend more and more time finding enough wood, an activity that may take several hours each day. 

Many rural people depend on cattle for their livelihoods but do not have sufficient land holdings for grazing. It is common to see cows, water buffalo and goats grazing in forests. Forests could sustain small numbers of grazers, but today there is so much grazing that saplings are eaten - destroying the forest's future. 

Wildlife trade
In addition to deforestation and other habitat loss, poaching is the main threat to the wildlife in the region. It is especially dangerous to endangered species like the tiger and rhino because of their high commercial value in the black market. Smaller animals like deer are sometimes poached for meat. Fish poaching occurs frequently in protected areas. There, poachers use not only nets but also poison - contaminating whole rivers. 

Climate change
There is increasing evidence of climate change impacting the lives of the people and threatening the wildlife of the Eastern Himalayas. Many glaciers are melting and forming lakes prone to bursting and downstream flooding. 

Traditional water springs have dried up, limiting the water supply. Farmers’ crops suffer from changing patterns of rainfall, threatening the food security of the local people. Warmer temperatures and changing humidity have brought insect pests and disease to areas where they were previously absent. Learn about what WWF is doing to help