Unveiling Anthropogenic Environmental Burdens Impacting Ecosystem Services in the Himalayas

Ecosystem services globally are experiencing a significant reduction, with approximately 60% of these services being degraded or utilized unsustainably. This loss poses risks to human well-being andposes risks to human well-being and affects the natural assets and wealth of nations, limiting possibilities for sustainable development. Human activities have both negative and positive impacts on ecosystem services. In India, growing demands due to poverty and a rising population, particularly in the Eastern Himalayas region, greatly strain the environment. Various factors such as industrialization, urbanization, climate change, and agriculture contribute to environmental degradation and the decline of ecosystem services. The Eastern Himalayas, known for their biodiversity and critical role in climate regulation, suffer from habitat loss due to human activities, threatening numerous endangered species.