In a significant step towards advancing sustainable urban water management, ICLEI South Asia officially released a Compendium on Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for Waterbody Restoration on 29 April 2026 in Kochi, Kerala. The publication was released by the Hon’ble Deputy Mayor Deepak Joy, alongside three Standing Committee Chairpersons and several councillors.
The compendium, developed by ICLEI South Asia under the Climate Adaptation and Resilience (CLARE) programme funded by the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office and the International Development Research Centre, Canada, brings together global and regional case studies demonstrating how NbS can effectively restore degraded water bodies while enhancing biodiversity, improving water quality, and strengthening urban resilience. Authored by Dr. Monalisa Sen, Associate Director, and Dr. Rinku Singh, Senior Project Officer-Biodiversity, ICLEI South Asia, the publication highlights practical, scalable approaches rooted in ecological principles and community engagement.
The document showcases ten case studies from across South Asia and the world, including initiatives such as lake rejuvenation, canal and river restoration, floating wetlands, aquifer recharge systems, floodplain restoration etc. that demonstrate how NbS approaches can deliver ecological, social, and economic benefits simultaneously.
Case studies illustrate how NbS can be adapted to different environmental and urban contexts:
In Indore, India, the rejuvenation of Annapurna Lake demonstrates how floating wetlands, aeration systems, and microbial treatments can rapidly improve water quality and restore biodiversity.
The Baburail Canal restoration in Narayanganj, Bangladesh showcases how integrating ecological measures with infrastructure upgrades can improve drainage, reduce flooding, and create vibrant public spaces.
In Johannesburg, South Africa, the Scaling Urban Nature-based Solutions for Climate Adaptation (SUNCASA) initiative demonstrates how NbS can be integrated at a city scale to address climate risks such as flooding and heat stress.
By focusing on the restoration of wetlands, rehabilitation of river corridors, and expansion of green infrastructure, the initiative enhances stormwater management, improves urban resilience, and delivers co-benefits such as biodiversity conservation and improved liveability. These examples underline a common theme: along with restoring ecological health, NbS interventions also generate co-benefits such as improved public spaces, enhanced livelihoods, and increased climate resilience. By documenting these experiences, the compendium aims to bridge the gap between policy and implementation by helping cities to adopt context-specific NbS strategies for waterbody restoration.
The publication emphasises the importance of hybrid approaches such as combining natural systems with targeted technological interventions, to achieve both immediate and long- term outcomes. It highlights governance models, financing mechanisms, and stakeholder engagement strategies that are critical for successful implementation.
By consolidating practical experiences and lessons learned, the compendium serves as a roadmap for cities aiming to restore their water bodies, and reinforces the idea that working with nature can deliver long-term, cost-effective, and inclusive solutions.
ICLEI South Asia, through this initiative, continues to strengthen knowledge sharing, capacity building, and on-ground action in the field of nature-based solutions. The organisation remains committed to working closely with cities to support the planning and implementation of sustainable, climate-resilient urban systems.
Read the Compendium here.
