Project Overview
Green Impact Nepal (GIN) conducted a research project to assess the impact of urbanization on forest fragmentation and wildlife habitat in Madhesh Province. As urban expansion accelerates, natural ecosystems are increasingly threatened, leading to habitat loss, disrupted migration corridors, and reduced biodiversity.
This study aimed to explore the patterns of urban growth, its direct and indirect impacts on forests, and the ecological consequences that followed. Through comprehensive analysis, we sought to understand how rapid development affected the delicate balance of natural ecosystems in this biodiverse region.
Regional Significance
Madhesh Province, known for its rich biodiversity, including Sal (Shorea robusta) forests, migratory birds, and endangered species like the Ganges River dolphin, wild buffalo, and Barasingha, faces severe environmental challenges due to unplanned urbanization, land degradation, and climate-induced disasters such as flooding and waterlogging.
Through spatial analysis and ecological assessments, this research quantified forest fragmentation patterns over time, addressing an existing knowledge gap in understanding the full scope of urbanization's environmental impact in the region.
Research Objectives
- 1 Analyze patterns of urban growth and expansion in Madhesh Province
- 2 Quantify forest fragmentation over time using spatial analysis techniques
- 3 Assess impacts on wildlife habitats and migration corridors
- 4 Evaluate effects on endangered species populations and biodiversity
- 5 Develop recommendations for sustainable urban planning