South Asia is one of the most vulnerable areas to climate change. Rising sea levels and flooding threaten the coastal countries of Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Landlocked Afghanistan, Bhutan, and Nepal face rising temperatures, drought, and glacial melting. The region is also host to the world’s lowest-lying country, the densely populated island nation of Maldives, which faces the imminent threat of submersion. Many individuals and communities largely belonging to the poor and marginalized sectors directly rely on nature for survival. However, the government and private companies have laws, programs and policies motivated by profit that disrupt ecological balance and violate human rights. Projects such as large hydropower dams, large-scale mining, and oil refineries which wreak havoc to the environment are often framed by the State and big businesses as “development projects.” However, can they really be viewed as developments if their focus is on profit rather than well-being, sustainability, and social equity? In recent decades, environmental human rights defenders (EHRDs) have been voicing their concerns with these contentious projects in their communities but are faced with tremendous efforts by the authorities to silence them. The United Nations (UN) refers to EHRDs as “individuals and groups who, in their personal or professional capacity and in a peaceful manner, strive to protect and promote human rights relating to the environment, including water, air, land, flora and fauna” (2016). This may include indigenous people, peasants, fisherfolks, activists, journalists, social movements, or anyone seeking to protect the environment. In South Asia, EHRDs have not been spared from being victims of civil and political rights violations. Reports from media and both local and international groups speak about the critical state of EHRDs in the region state-backed killings, illegal and arbitrary arrests and detention, threats, harassment, intimidation and vilification are prevalent, effectively shrinking civic space for EHRDs’ vital work towards protecting lives and landscapes. Hence, it is crucial to report the experiences of EHRDs concerning their work on environmental rights and protection. Nepalese armed police and military engaged in repressing the Indigenous Tamang community resisting a power transmission line and station encroaching on their land in Jan 2023 (Struggle Against Marginalization of Nationalities). This publication aims to provide an overview of the situation and struggles of EHRDs in South Asia by identifying various types of attacks they encounter, analyzing the drivers behind those attacks, and presenting the importance of EHRDs in upholding environmental rights and environmental protection. In addition, this publication will also present recommendations for the protection of EHRDs in the region. T his publication aims to provide an overview of the situation and struggles of EHRDs in South Asia by identifying various types of attacks they encounter, analyzing the drivers behind those attacks, and presenting the importance of EHRDs in upholding environmental rights and environmental protection. In addition, this publication will also present recommendations for the protection of EHRDs in the region. This publication will only focus on three countries, namely India, Bangladesh, and Nepal. As South Asia is such a vast, complex, and diverse region, it does not provide a comprehensive situation of EHRDs in the region. Sources of information include publications and articles. The case studies and recommendations are based on interviews with EHRDs T his publication will only focus on three countries, namely India, Bangladesh, and Nepal. As South Asia is such a vast, complex, and diverse region, it does not provide a comprehensive situation of EHRDs in the region. Sources of information include publications and articles. The case studies and recommendations are based on interviews with EHRDs.