Action Area D

Ecosystem and landscape restoration

Land use change, deforestation and global temperature rise are resulting in sharp declines in biodiversity across the Hindu Kush Himalayas, and rapid degradation of landscapes and habitat, including the drying up of freshwater sources. The pressure on rangelands – which cover more than half the region’s landmass – risks vast carbon sinks becoming carbon sources, and threatens crucial freshwater stores. ICIMOD’s landscapes unit works to reverse environmental degradation and biodiversity loss across the region and to incentivise the custodianship and restoration of ecosystems and landscapes, by understanding and communicating trends locally, nationally, regionally and in global fora, championing Indigenous and local leadership and practice, rewarding ecological stewardship, testing and promoting nature-based solutions, and reducing human-wildlife conflict.