Managing the Environmental and Social Impacts of a Major IDB Financed Road Improvement Project in Panama: The Case of Darién

The Environment and Safeguards Group (ESG) of the IDB has examined how potential environmental and social risks of major Bank-supported road improvement investments in natural resource rich and socio-culturally diverse "frontier" regions have been identified and addressed in various parts of South and Central America. The present paper presents the findings and recommendations for selected ongoing and/or completed IDB-financed road and road related projects in Panama. To the extent possible, the experience and lessons learned from all major parts of the project cycle - design/preparation, up-front environmental assessment, implementation/supervision, and monitoring and evaluation - are considered, as are the analysis and management of direct, indirect and cumulative environmental and social impacts.