In this latest report ICIMOD has highlighted the vulnerability of the Eastern Himalayan ecosystems to climate change as a result of their ecological fragility and economic marginality.

Supported by the MacArthur Foundation, the ICIMOD undertook a series of research activities together with partners in the Eastern Himalayas from 2007 to 2008 to assess the vulnerability of this region to climate change. Activities included surveys at country level, thematic workshops, interaction with stakeholders at national and regional levels, and development of technical papers by individual experts in collaboration with institutions that synthesised the available information on the region. Available climate models were used to develop climate projections for the region based on the observed data. This publication presents a summary of the findings of the assessment. Clearly much more, and more precise, information will be needed to corroborate these preliminary present findings. Nevertheless, the assessment highlighted the vulnerability of the Eastern Himalayan ecosystems to climate change as a result of their ecological fragility and economic marginality. It is hoped that it will both inform conservation policy at national and regional levels, and stimulate the coordinated research that is urgently needed.