Economics of Transportation Infrastructure: Balancing Needs of Biodiversity Conservation and Costs

Economic analysis tools are important instruments that support decision making for infrastructure development including rural roads. The use of these tools such as economic valuation, cost-benefit analysis and multi-criteria analysis help identify potential impacts and their costs, which could be measured through economic, social and environmental costs.

Monitoring and Performance Evaluation: Case Study on the Bhutan Road Network Project-II

Improvements and innovation in design of linear infrastructure such as roads and bridges are observed to be beneficial to wildlife crossings. This is among the findings of a 2-phased monitoring study in Bhutan particularly in a 183-kilometer highway and feeder road constructed under RNP II with the technical and financial assistance of ADB. Seven underpasses were constructed at NH2 and one at NH5.

Karma Chogyel

Karma is the head of an environmental consultancy firm in Bhutan where he also works as an environmental specialist. He studied life sciences at Bhutan’s only college before beginning his career as a technical assistant at the National Environment Commission (NEC) of Bhutan. He went on to complete a master’s degree in Geo-information Science and Earth Observation in the Netherlands. 

Design – India: NH-37 East West Highway, Kaziranga NP, Assam

India is host to a rich wildlife with an estimated 2,413 rhinoceros in Kaziranga alone. Faced with increasing loss of wildlife due to habitat loss and fragmentation and roadside accidents, the government of Assam is currently working on a wildlife-friendly development project specifically on critical sections of the national road, which straddles or cuts through the Kaziranga National Park Stretch.

Shantanoo Bhattacharyya

Shantanoo has progressed to becoming Senior Consultant to the Public Works Department after serving it as Additional Chief Engineer (Mechanical).

Fully committed to environmental protection and management, he is pioneering bio-engineering in the field of erosion control and waste management. He handles the environmental engineering works of the department and currently acts as the Nodal Officer for a large wildlife-friendly road project along the Kaziranga National Park of Assam. 

Bishwa Nath Oli

Dr. Oli has more than three decades experience in biodiversity, environment and climate change sectors working with the Government of Nepal in different capacities. He has worked as a national consultant with various development partners including the Food and Agriculture Organization. He has served as secretary of different ministries including Ministry of Forests and Environment, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, and Ministry of Population and Environment. 

Best practices in financing nature: Insights from the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF)

At the heart of RFI is the need to develop a funding mechanism where projects may be implemented sustainably. The lessons learned from CEPF and other multi-donor granting initiatives provide guidance through which a grant mechanism that enables local CSOs and project owners can access funding that will complement the efforts of the governments. Grants to CSOs not only help advance the nature and climate agendas, but enables building long-lasting capacity.