Key Threats
Estimates suggest that more than 70% of the original forest cover has been destroyed and only about 5,400 sq km of forest land remain on the mountains!

Forests in the Eastern Arc Mountains are increasingly endangered by a range of human activities that threaten their health and sustainability. These activities, driven by various needs and practices, disrupt the delicate balance of forest ecosystems and pose significant risks to biodiversity and environmental stability. Addressing these threats is crucial for ensuring the long-term preservation and vitality of our forests.
Key threats include:

Deforestation and forest degradation remain to be the most significant threats to the Eastern Arc Mountains. Expansion of agriculture, illegal logging, charcoal production, and fuelwood collection continue to reduce forest cover, fragment habitats, and undermine the ecological integrity of these globally important ecosystems.

Expansion of agriculture into forest reserves and buffer zones continues to drive forest conversion, especially on steep terrain. This results in increased soil erosion, biodiversity loss, and higher sediment loads in rivers that serve downstream communities. In many forest-adjacent areas, trees are cleared to create farmland, contributing to deforestation and land degradation.

Forest fires pose a serious threat, especially during the dry season. Many forest fires originate from land clearing, illegal hunting, or honey harvesting and often spread into forest areas, damaging vegetation, reducing regeneration capacity, and degrading forest structure.

Climate change exacerbates existing pressures through increased temperature, prolonged droughts, and unpredictable rainfall patterns. These changes affect species with narrow ecological ranges and disrupt hydrological cycles critical to water catchment functions.

Illegal mining activities, particularly artisanal and small-scale operations, cause land degradation, forest clearance, and water pollution. These activities threaten sensitive catchments and river systems within and around the Eastern Arc landscapes.

Invasive alien species increasingly affect forest ecosystems by outcompeting native and endemic species. Their spread alters forest composition and reduces biodiversity, weakening ecosystem resilience.

Weak law enforcement and limited management capacity hinder effective protection of forest reserves. Insufficient staffing, equipment, and financial resources reduce the ability to prevent illegal activities and manage forest fires.

Poverty and limited alternative livelihoods among adjacent communities drive heavy dependence on forest resources. Without viable income options, local populations continue to rely on forests for energy, construction materials, subsistence needs etc.

Rapid population growth around the Eastern Arc Mountains increases demand for land and natural resources, driving deforestation, habitat loss, and illegal resource use. These pressures threaten biodiversity, weaken water catchment functions, and reduce ecosystem resilience.

Illegal hunting threatens the EAMs by reducing wildlife populations, particularly endemic and threatened species, and disrupting key ecological processes such as seed dispersal and food-web balance. The use of snares and other destructive methods also harms non-target species. In addition, illegal hunting increases human disturbance within forest reserves, contributing to habitat degradation and weakening overall ecosystem integrity.

Excessive Illegal timber harvesting without replanting leads to severe forest depletion. This practice diminishes forest cover, disrupts ecosystems, and reduces biodiversity, ultimately compromising the long-term health and sustainability of the forest environment.

Low conservation awareness and limited environmental education reduce community support for conservation initiatives. Limited understanding of the long-term benefits of forest ecosystems affects compliance with conservation regulations and sustainable resource use.

To combat forest degradation, EAMCEF introduced alternative income-generating activities including livestock keeping (goats, cows, pigs, fish, chickens, and beekeeping), terrace farming, and tree planting. These efforts offer sustainable income sources and enhance land management, aiding in forest restoration and reducing dependence on harmful practices.

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