Globally, both biodiversity and the overall natural capital of the world are declining rapidly. Considering its implications to humanity, the Sixth Conference of the Parties (COP 6) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in April 2002 committed themselves ‘to achieve, by 2010, a significant reduction of the current rate of biodiversity loss at the global, regional and national levels as a contribution to poverty alleviation and to the benefit of all life on Earth’ and a number of indicators and targets were set by the CBD. However, by 2010, the targets have been missed by vast majority of nations. Our analysis from the Hindu Kush- Himalayan (HKH) region revealed that the countries are at very different stages of progress towards meeting the 2010 targets. In term as of protected area coverage, which is considered as an integral element of the targets, the HKH regional member countries made significant progress by bringing 39 % of its terrestrial area under some form of protection. However, at the national level, they are at different stages of progress. In terms of conservation policies and practices, the HKH region has witnessed significant conceptual development in regional approaches to biodiversity conservation, from ‘people exclusionary’ and ‘species focused’ to ‘people-centred community-based’ and ‘ecosystem/landscape approach’. However, there are still numerous challenges that prevail in the region. Anecdotal evidence of change is abundant, but in this vast region there is little, hard scientific information. Improved knowledge, information and environmental data is urgently needed so that appropriate action can be taken to combat and limit the impacts of future changes