The majority of Asia's poor live in rural areas where ecosystems they depend on – water bodies, grasslands, soils and forests - are facing strains from unsustainable exploitation or conversion to other uses . The new book, "Poverty, Health, and Ecosystems: Experience from Asia," in 16 case studies, highlights the challenges faced by these poor and often resource dependent households across Asia.

Nepal case study "Community-based forest management in Nepal: reversing environmental degradation and improving livelihoods" is written by Krishna Prasad Oli of IUCN and Keshav Raj Kanel of DoF. The case study analyzes the features of community forestry and leasehold forestry in Nepal in terms of reversing forest degradation, and their contribution to poverty reduction.

Online edition of the book is available at ADB Website.