The region hosts all or part of four areas labelled as Global Biodiversity Hotspots: the Himalayas, Indo-Burma, Mountains of South-West China, and Mountains of Central Asia. Mountain species with narrow habitat tolerance, particularly higher elevation forms and those with low dispersal capacity, are at high risk from the environmental effects of climate change.

The region’s increasing population has led to widespread logging, intensive overgrazing, wetland drainage for subsistence purposes, and extensive clearing of forests and grasslands for cultivation. Inappropriate land management and ill-planned development have led to the fragmentation of remaining habitats.