Hindu Kush Alpine Meadow

"Reaching heights of up to 6,500 m in the Hindu Kush range of the Himalayas, this ecoregion boasts breath-taking vistas alongside a varied flora and fauna. Ibex, markhor, and mouflon are some of the species to be found on the ground, whilst Saker falcons and eagles pass overhead . . . Extensive grazing of livestock occurs across the region as lush alpine meadows provide good foraging grounds. However, expanding livestock herds and cutting of shrubs for firewood by local pastoralists has led to significant habitat degradation . . . Increasing competition for food with domesticated cattle, sheep and goats has pushed species such as the markhor to the edge of their ranges. There are currently no protected areas within the ecoregion . . . In addition to overgrazing and other pressures exerted by an increasing human presence in this mountain region, desertification as a result of climate change threatens to compound land degradation and vegetation loss. As well as limiting food available for several wild species, shrub loss also has the potential to cause significant soil erosion, which subsequently increases the risk of landslides and floods. Hunting is another pressure that threatens biodiversity in the region and has led to steep declines in some species populations . . ."