The non-governmental Association for Research for Environmental and Socioeconomic Development has been tasked by the Honduran government with ensuring the protection of the Honduran Emerald (Amazilia luciae), a species of hummingbird unique to northern Honduras. The protection of the hummingbird’s habitat is one of the World Bank’s prerequisites for releasing a large part of the 35 million dollars allocated for the construction of a stretch of highway in the area of Olanchito, in the northern Honduran department of Yoro.

The NGO’s director, Pilar Reyes, told Tierramérica that it will work in conjunction with local governments in the municipalities that the new highway will pass through to design projects for the protection and conservation of this endangered bird species, with the support of the Forest Conservation Institute, a government agency.