Asia is experiencing the highest infrastructure investment rates globally, led by transportation and energy sector expansion. Yet much of this planned infrastructure will bisect some of the world’s most biodiverse areas and potentially decrease human and ecological resilience to climate change and degrade vital natural resources that people depend upon for their livelihoods.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is providing funding over four years to increase implementation of effective safeguards for linear infrastructure in Asia — including roads, railroads, power lines, fences, and canals. The ALIGN Project will help enhance the capacity of countries to avoid, lessen or mitigate adverse impacts from linear infrastructure development through strengthened policies and practices, shared knowledge, and increased capacity.
The ALIGN Project will be implemented by WWF, the global conservation organization, in partnership with the Center for Large Landscape Conservation, a nonprofit with expertise in reducing the impacts of linear infrastructure on biodiversity. The project will support efforts in three focal countries — India, Mongolia, and Nepal — and share lessons learned, guidance, and training materials on best practices across Asia.
