Conservation strategies: Multi-scale approaches and policies in the Hindu Kush Himalayan region

Over the past 70 years, the number of protected areas of the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region increased substantially, but there is a lack of connectivity among them. Despite the increasing number of initiatives on transboundary landscape management, exchanges and co-operation among member states on environmental and ecological protection are still insuffcient. Innovative institutions and arrangements should be adopted to promote inter-governmental dialogue, common policy deliberation and transnational practice. For the development of mountain areas, ensuring the establishment of transportation and infrastructure in the region can strengthen the exchange and trade between mountain areas and other areas. In general, the member states should strengthen co-operation and exchanges and reduce border conficts to prevent the HKH region from becoming an ecological and cultural island.