#NbS4India Connect: Accelerating Nature-based Solutions (NbS) across urban India

Special Feature | National Institute of Urban Affairs presents at the Regional Conference for Implementation of Nature-based Solutions

The National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) presented the work of the India Forum for Nature-based Solutions at the Regional Conference on Nature-based Solutions hosted by the Government of Assam in Guwahati. The presentation focused on the need to scale nature-based solutions around the urban and peri-urban sections of the Brahmaputra River ecosystem. Watch the presentation here: https://bit.ly/3L3xeeJ

A Forum partner, NIUA is supporting the design of a holistic urban river management plan and co-developing scientifically designed on-ground solutions along with building the capacity of city officials. NIUA is adopting a holistic approach that looks at implementation not just from an environmental and engineering lens but also from a socio-economic lens.

The India Forum for Nature-based Solutions (NbS) seeks to highlight innovative NbS initiatives demonstrating impact across three categories:

1. Implementation: Pilot projects, products or solutions that test new and innovative ways to design and implement urban NbS in Indian cities.  
2. Enablers: Research, data and analytics, governance structures and partnerships, technology or policy that enables NbS implementation  
3. Champions: Individuals or organisations that have been showing leadership, inspiring action and helping move the needle on urban NbS. 

WHY PARTICIPATE?

• The best entry, from each category, will be felicitated with an award at our flagship event on 6th August in New Delhi. Additionally, they will be featured in all Forum communications such as the official website, newsletter and other communication material such as articles and blogs.
• Two entries from each category will get the chance to present their work at the PechaKucha session.
• All shortlisted entries will get a chance to exhibit their work at an all-day exhibition event at the Summit

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

Bengaluru Climate Action Cell conducted the Community-Led Greening Mapathon 2024

The Bengaluru Climate Action Cell recently launched its first community-led greening initiative, targeting the Bommanahalli zone of Bengaluru, supported by WRI India and Cities4Forests. Mapathon 2024 was an interactive event held at the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) office that welcomed all citizens to plant with a plan in their neighborhoods. Enthusiastic volunteers from resident welfare associations, civil society organizations and academic institutions, as well as young children, helped chart out potential greening sites – walking over room-sized maps and sharing ideas for future greening initiatives.

In the News

1. PM Flags Off Two Schemes to Revive Wetlands, Mangroves
2. Bihar's Nagi and Nakti Bird Sanctuaries Now on Ramsar List of Wetlands
3. Number of Warm Nights in Indian Cities Leapfrogged 32% During Last Decade Due to Climate Change: Global Report
4. India to Benefit from GEF Funding for Biodiversity Conservation
5. Canada and ADB Launch New Fund to Support Private Sector Climate Action and Nature-Based Solutions

#NbS4India #ClimateSimplified Series

The India Forum for NbS, in collaboration with the City Climate Alliance, presents the #ClimateSimplified video series. The series aims to dejargonise technical terms related to NbS . Watch the fifth video of the series to better understand what ‘Blue Green Infrastructure’ is:

Would you like us to simplify any other climate-related terms? Please feel free to let us know in the comments section or tweet using the hashtag #NbS4India

Feedback Request: If you enjoyed this newsletter as much as we enjoyed the research behind it, share your feedback on your social media handles using #NbS4India or comment below!