Mains Marathon

• Introduce the concept of Nature-based solutions (NBS).
• Examine the Impact of NBS on India's Sustainable Development.
• Conclusion suitably.

Answer

Nature-based solutions (NBS) are actions that use natural processes and ecosystems to address environmental and social challenges. They aim to protect, sustainably manage, or restore natural and modified ecosystems, while providing benefits for both people and nature. Some examples of NBS are restoring forests, wetlands, and mangroves, promoting climate-smart agriculture, and implementing green infrastructure in urban areas.

NBS can offer multiple benefits for sustainable development in India, such as:

• Mitigating and adapting to climate change by enhancing carbon sequestration, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and increasing resilience to extreme events. As per the UNEP’s Emission Gap Report 2022, NBS can provide up to 37% of the mitigation needed to achieve the Paris Agreement goals by 2030.
• Improving water security and quality by regulating water flows, filtering pollutants, and recharging groundwater. NBS can help address the challenges of water scarcity, pollution, and flooding that affect millions of people in India.
  • India’s watershed management programmes such as Drought prone Area Programme, National Watershed Development Project for Rainfed Areas, PMKSY - Watershed have resulted in conservation of soil and water.
• Enhancing food security and livelihoods by increasing crop yields, diversifying income sources, and reducing vulnerability to shocks. NBS can support climate-resilient agriculture, fisheries, and forestry, as well as create green jobs and enterprises.
  • Government of India has recently launched the National Mission on Natural Farming to promote chemical-free and climate-smart agriculture.
• Conserving biodiversity and ecosystem services by maintaining or restoring habitats, species, and genetic diversity. NBS can help protect India’s rich natural heritage and the benefits it provides for human well-being and development.

However, NBS also face some challenges in India, such as:

• Lack of awareness and recognition of the value and potential of NBS among policymakers, practitioners, and the public.
  • NBS are often seen as secondary or alternative options to conventional solutions, rather than as integral components of development planning and decision-making.
• Lack of adequate data, evidence, and tools to assess the effectiveness and impact of NBS on multiple outcomes. NBS are complex and context-specific interventions that require robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks to demonstrate their benefits and trade-offs across different sectors and scales.
• Lack of sufficient funding, capacity, and governance mechanisms to support the design, implementation, and management of NBS. NBS often requires long-term investments, cross-sectoral coordination, stakeholder participation, and adaptive management to ensure their sustainability and equity.

Nature-based solutions offer immense potential for sustainable development. By harnessing the power of ecosystems and natural processes, NBS can address environmental challenges, mitigate climate change, enhance water management, and provide socio-economic benefits. However, effective implementation requires raising awareness, securing resources, and striking a balance between development priorities and conservation objectives.