Ecosystem Friendly Infrastructure: Averting Catastrophe
Rapid infrastructure growth threatens Nepal's rich biodiversity through habitat disruption and fragmentation. The demand for linear infrastructure, such as roads, railways, and transmission lines, has reached unprecedented levels, often described as a "global infrastructure tsunami." While supporting socioeconomic development and Sustainable Development Goals, this boom poses significant risks to biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Photo source: Photos: Upendra Lamichhane/Republica
In Nepal, infrastructure projects, especially local roads, are often
constructed without proper consideration of environmental impacts, leading to
landscape devastation and triggering landslides. The term "bulldozer
terrorism" highlights the reckless road construction in mountainous areas
to connect villages. This project relies on GIS to assess the impacts of linear
infrastructure on biodiversity, focusing on protected areas, wildlife
corridors, forest conservation areas, and wetlands.
If you want to support this research and contribute to assessing the impacts
of linear infrastructure on biodiversity, please contact us at
contact@himavatinstitute.com.np.
