China

In the Northeast Asia sub-region, environmental pollution, transboundary sand and dust storms (SDS), agricultural expansion, deforestation, and overgrazing are growing challenges that are being further complicated by the impacts of climate change.

The Ganges River Basin is shared by four countries – Bangladesh, China, India and Nepal – and though it lacks a regional basin-level cooperation agreement to facilitate its joint management and address common challenges such as floods and climate change, there are four bilateral agreements on the Ganges River and its tributaries.

Cranes have coexisted with agriculture for centuries in some regions and may often benefit from cropland or grazing. However, the rapid expansion and intensification of agriculture is leading to severe loss of wetland and grassland habitats important to cranes, thus increasing the conflicts between cranes and farmers. Agriculture has been one of the main drivers behind severe population declines for 11 of 15 species of cranes in the world, and affects all species in one way or another.

Illegal trade and the trafficking of Tiger Panthera tigris, as well as their parts, products and derivatives, and the poaching which supplies it, is the most immediate threat to the survival of wild tigers. This briefing document highlights top-line findings from the detailed analysis over the 16 years, including key occurrences and patterns over the period assessed. Key recommendations are provided for consideration by actors at national, regional and international levels.

The World Heritage community is currently adopting policies to mainstream human rights as part of a wider sustainability agenda. From site-designation to their conservation and management, this book explores the various rights issues and analyses the diverse social, cultural and legal challenges and responses at both regional and global levels.