According to this report, peatlands are the largest carbon store in the terrestrial biosphere, containing twice as much carbon as all the world"s forests combined. There are an estimated 25 million hectares of peatland in the South-East Asian region, making it the most dominant wetland forest type. The objectives of this report are to review and develop potential financing and economic incentive options at the regional or country level to support the protection and sustainable management of peatlands, particularly in South-East Asia.

The forests of Hindu Kush Himalayan region present an opportunity for both enhancement of carbon and extraction of timber and energy biomass. Community institutions are an asset in the region which enhances the value of total forest capital stock considerably.