Article: Trend of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS)

Rapid population expansion, climate change, urbanization, and resource depletion are all current global issues. It has become crucial to implement sustainable and innovative solutions. In recent years, nature-based solutions have become increasingly popular in this area since they make it possible to use nature's assets to solve a variety of environmental, social, and economic problems. These approaches outperform typical technological and engineering methods in several ways by utilizing ecosystems and natural processes and providing a variety of advantages. The related issues of climate change, environmental degradation, loss of biodiversity, and water scarcity can be addressed through nature-based solutions, which are promising. These answers can lead to a more peaceful and sustainable future by working with nature.

The core principle of nature-based solutions includes working in harmony with nature. Ecosystems have evolved with time to adapt and cope with various challenges, and by emulating these processes, we can achieve more sustainable outcomes. Nature-Based solutions enhance the resilience of communities to various shocks and stressors, including climate change, extreme weather events, urbanization, etc. They offer multiple benefits by being more realistic because of their interconnectedness. Restoring a wetland not only controls floods, and enhances water quality but also provides habitat to various species.

United Nations has declared 2021-2023 as the decade of Ecosystem restoration, calling for a global effort to restore ecosystems on a massive scale. Nature-based solutions are an emerging path of sustainable coexistence between humanity and the natural environment. Nature-based solutions are been implementing worldwide, and communities recognize the value of integrating nature into their efforts to address environmental and social challenges, such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and resource scarcity.  As European Union has set out a biodiversity strategy that emphasizes the restoration of degraded ecosystems, the creation of green infrastructure, and the integration of NBS in urban planning has been a part of it. Similarly, United States initiatives like New York City’s Million Trees NYC and Chicago’s Green Infrastructure Plan focus on increasing urban green spaces. China has embarked on ambitious projects such as the Great Green Wall and Sponge City program, combating desertification and land degradation in Northern China. Brazils Forest Restoration program has committed to restoring 12 million hectares of degraded and deforested land by the year 2030. Multiple African countries are collaborating in the African Great Green Wall program.

While on the other hand, Japan has been focusing on Nature-Based solutions(NBS) for coastal resilience after the 2011 tsunami. Their project “Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction” emphasizes the importance of ecosystems in reducing the impact of natural disasters.

India’s dedication to Nature-Based solutions (NBS) can be seen as they commit to restoring 26 million hectares of degraded land by the year 2023. Similarly, The Peru government has implemented a Nature-Based solution in the watershed management projects to safeguard water resources and reduce the risk of floods.

 

As the nation navigates the complexities of modernization and environmental stewardship, several distinct trends of adopting Nature-Based Solution has emerged. These trends illustrate the nation's determination to seek sustainable and innovative solutions This indicates a positive change in our nation. Pakistan's agreements with international organizations such as United Nations Sustainable Development Goal(SDGs) and Paris Agreement have derived the nation's focus on NBS.

One of the most highlighted projects based on Nature-Based Solutions in Pakistan was the “10 Billion Tree Tsunami” by The Government of Pakistan. It aimed to mitigate the adverse effect of deforestation, restore ecosystems and enhance carbon sequestration. Cities in Pakistan is witnessing a surge in urban greening efforts to mitigate heat island and improve air quality. In the Agricultural sector, integrated watershed management projects and Agroforestry are on the rise, which not only improves soil fertility but also restore degraded landscapes by ensuring sustainable water resource. The coastline of Pakistan has also been affected by climate change, including the rise in sea level, and coastal erosion. The “Sindh Coastal Community Development Project” is an initiative for coastal protection and enhancing fisheries.

With a keen focus on sustainable development and environmental conservation, the WRAP project employs NBS to holistically address Pakistan's water challenges. By restoring wetlands, managing riparian zones, promoting agroforestry, and incorporating urban green infrastructure, the project not only optimizes water resource management but also enhances ecosystem resilience. The marriage of NBS within the WRAP project underscores its commitment to harmonizing human needs with ecological well-being while setting a precedent for innovative, nature-centric solutions in the realm of water resources. The “Water Resources Assessment and Prioritization (WRAP)” project embodies a visionary approach to water management by seamlessly integrating Nature-Based Solutions (NBS). At its core, the WRAP project endeavors to assess, conserve, and manage Pakistan's invaluable water resources holistically.