Need for Nature-based Solutions in Kochi, Kerala, India

Mr. Sabu A. Bhaskaran

Councillor, Kochi Municipal Corporation

Kochi at a glance

• Queen of the Arabian Sea

• Largest Trading Port in the south-west and was the spice trading centre of the world in the 14th century

• Commercial Capital of the State of Kerala contributing around 60% tax revenue to the State

• Largest Urban Agglomeration in the State

• Area: 107.13 km2

• Population: 601,574 (Census 2011)

• In proximity to the Western Ghats, a global biodiversity hotspot

• It lies at the sea mouth of seven major rivers which start from the Western Ghats and travel through Kerala’s midlands, lowlands and coastal areas, to drain out into the Arabian Sea thereby falling within a coastal wetland zone

• An ecologically sensitive area turned bird sanctuary Mangalavanam lies in its heart while the backwaters of Vembanad Lake which include many small islands, surround the city region

Kochi’s Urban SystemsFragile Urban System Fragility Statement

Water Supply The system’s efficiency is constrained by, limited sources to meet the City’s potable water needs, contaminated ground water due to poor sanitary practices and poor infrastructure.

Solid Waste Management

Inadequate designated waste disposal sites, open dumping of waste and an inadequate collection and disposal system cause chronic challenges for health, sanitation, and ecosystem functioning

Sewerage Insufficient infrastructure for the collection and management of sewerage and septage, the high water table and poor civic sense of citizens, results in waste being disposed into the canals and drains.

Drainage Encroachment and poor conditions of the canals, heavy deposits of silt and discharge of solid and liquid waste into the drains, and inadequate coverage of the drainage system is resulting in many parts of the city being waterlogged and susceptible to disease.

Information taken from Kochi’s City Resilience Strategy, ICLEI South Asia, 2016

Climate Change Impacts on Kochi’s Fragile Urban Systems

Information taken from Kochi’s City Resilience Strategy, ICLEI South Asia, 2016

Vulnerability Hotspot Map - Kochi Municipal Corporation

Land Use Land Cover Change in Kochi- impacts of urbanisation

2002 2016

2002 2014

KMC projects and activities which incorporate NBS • Backwater protection of Vembanad Lake

• Conservation of the Pokkali landscape and technique through policy, subsidy and agricultural inputs

• Activities that improve ecosystem services of Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary such as education programmes and mangrove restoration

• Improving and augmenting green open spaces and public places through native tree plantation drives

• Promotion of Ecotourism practices through stringent policy and regulatory means

• Plastic ban

• Rainwater Harvesting and public pond rejuvenation through policy and hardware

• Environmental education through Biodiversity parks and clubs in schools and colleges

• Promotion of roof-top and urban gardens through schemes and training programs

• Development of the People’s Biodiversity Register

• Promotion of organic farming

Applying NBS to build Kochi’s Climate Resilience• Decentralized waste water

management system on a community level scale

• Phytoremediation of water bodies

• Ward level composting of wet waste and linking this with the urban farming initiatives

• Permeable pavements using grid pavers

• Rain gardens

• Recycling and reuse of water in public buildings

• Well rejuvenation

• Mapping of urban heat islands

• Development of an action plan for Vembanad Lake

• Development of butterfly gardens in schools

• Restoration of Thevara canal

• Study on ecosystem services provided by mangrove and a mapping of mangroves within the city

Thank you!