© Reuben Clements/Rimba
SIP – The Smart Infrastructure Planning Tool As the “Asia Century” progresses, and growth on the continent shows no signs of slowing down, pressure on the remaining pockets of tiger habitat will only intensify. In response, WWF designed the Smart Infrastructure Planning (SIP) tool2 to map predicted impacts of planned infrastructure development on tigers and their habitat. Major infrastructure projects occurring in tiger landscapes include new road construction, the expansion of existing roads, dams for hydropower development, mineral extraction, logging concessions and biofuel plantations. The tool maps new projects in the context of existing infrastructure showing their cumulative impact on the landscapes inhabited by tigers. The tool visually and quantitatively provides insight into key questions such as, “Is continued development in an area diminishing the last refuges of critical habitat for tigers in this landscape?” Infrastructure projects impact tigers through habitat loss, mortality from poaching and collisions with vehicles, and creating a barrier to movement for mates, habitat and food. Often, the policies around infrastructure development can be as influential as the physical structure itself. The tool provides a means for governments wishing to incorporate biodiversity and single species components into land use planning. Outputs aid land use planning departments and development organizations in protecting their valuable natural resources by integrating ecological risk assessment into their decision-making process. The tool has been used to rank alternatives and can assist in selecting the option of least impact to tigers. Malaysia is interested in mainstreaming tiger priority areas into the country’s development3. It has the opportunity to use the tool in mitigating the negative aspects of existing infrastructure, in addition to informing future projects within their vast tiger landscape. In the past, Malaysia has taken strides in mitigating the impact of roads using wildlife viaducts and forming appropriate policies around these structures. The SIP tool can aid in mitigation strategies, such as identifying the best locations for wildlife viaducts. It serves as a complement to existing efforts, and can provide the added dimension of focusing on a particular species like the tiger. Countries like India are also exploring the use of such tools in areas where there are increasing challenges of managing development pressures in tiger habitats. WWF-India is working towards further refining and adapting the existing tool to meet current needs. Working with the WWF Program Offices, the TAI is continuing to seek out collaborations with interested governments in employing the Smart Infrastructure Planning tool within tiger landscapes, and advocating for appropriate policies around these structures to protect tiger. 2
WWF 2010. The Smart Infrastructure Planner: A Toolbox to Predict the
Impacts of Proposed Land Use and Infrastructure on Focal Species and Habitats, Methods overview and Case Studies in Tiger Habitat. 3
Cross-sectoral Executive Leadership Forum On Mainstreaming Tiger Habitats
was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on February 20-22, 2012.
One of Malaysia’s completed highway viaducts to facilitate wildlife road crossings.