Asia is home to some of the world’s richest biodiversity and most complex ecosystems. From Asian elephants and Mongolian gazelle to Bengal tigers and Sumatran orangutans, Asia’s native wildlife species play essential roles in maintaining the balanced biological networks that sustain life.
Humans are also part of this biodiversity. Asia’s ecosystems contribute to human wellbeing in numerous ways such as underpinning economic vitality, increasing communities’ resilience to environmental change, and providing natural resources like food and fuel.
Yet, as Asia experiences unprecedented economic growth, much of the region’s natural heritage is threatened by the rapid expansion of roads, railways, and other linear infrastructure development. Without proper safeguards, this expansion will further fragment vital habitats, impact biodiversity, and increase wildlife mortality.
