Biodiversity in South and Southeast Asia
Countries in South and Southeast Asia have varied agro-climatic zones representing unique terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, forests, spectacular wildlife, and unimaginably rich biodiversity.
The region is also characterised by explosive growth of human populations, struggling economies, ethnic conflicts, poverty and political destabilisation in different pockets. As a result, it has become a hotspot for rampart poaching, illegal trafficking of wildlife, major and minor forest products, drug and human trafficking, etc.
If the regional countries do not cooperate with one another, very little success can be expected in terms of protecting the rich forests and wildlife of the region. Both Saarc and Asean can serve as important platforms to bridge the gap among the nations in order to protect their precious natural resources and biodiversity.
Saikat Kumar Basu, Canada
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