प्रकृति-सम्मत विधि
NbS Definition
प्रकृति-सम्मत विधि (Nature-based Solutions – NbS) भन्नाले पारिस्थितिक प्रणाली (Ecosystem) को संरक्षण, दिगो व्यवस्थापन र पुनर्स्थापना गरी समाजका चुनौतीहरूलाई सम्बोधन गर्ने उपायहरूलाई बुझिन्छ। यसले जलवायु परिवर्तन, प्रकोप जोखिम न्यूनीकरण, र खाद्य तथा जल सुरक्षा जस्ता समस्याहरूको समाधान गर्दा प्रकृति र मानव दुवैलाई फाइदा पुर्याउँछ।” by “प्रकृति-सम्मत विधि (Nature-based Solutions-NbS) भनेको प्रकृतिलाई जोगाएर वा सुधार गरेर हाम्रा समस्या सुल्झाउने उपाय हो। यसले एकातिर जलवायु परिवर्तन र बाढी-पहिरो जस्ता जोखिम कम गर्छ भने, अर्कोतिर पानी र खाद्य सुरक्षा बढाउँदै मानिस र वातावरण दुवैलाई फाइदा पुर्याउँछ।
“Actions to protect, manage and restore natural or modified ecosystems, which address societal challenges, effectively and adaptively, providing human well-being and biodiversity benefits”. (IUCN, 2016)
“Actions to protect, conserve, restore, sustainably use and manage natural or modified terrestrial, freshwater, coastal, and marine ecosystems, which address social, economic and environmental challenges effectively and adaptively, while simultaneously providing human well-being, ecosystem services, resilience and biodiversity benefits”. (UNEA, 2022)
Introduction:
Nature-based solutions are considered an affordable alternative solution in managing climate change, disaster risk, and environmental deterioration while supporting biodiversity and local livelihood. NbS works with nature to help mitigate the risks arising from climate change impacts, provide communities with resources to adapt to climate change impacts, and build climate resilience.
Scott Wilson Nepal is a leading Nepali local firm with extensive knowledge and experience in climate-resilient infrastructure. SWN provides services in NbS, bio-engineering for slope stabilization, disaster risk reduction, climate-resilient infrastructure, governance, environmental and social safeguarding, third-party monitoring, and programme evaluation. SWN has provided a series of training to the engineering teams of the Government of Nepal agencies in better understanding climate resilience and specific areas of interventions in planning and design using engineering and Nature-based approaches and tools.
Nature-Based Solutions for Climate-Resilient Road Infrastructure in Nepal
Scott Wilson Nepal (SWN) is at the forefront of integrating Nature-based Solutions (NbS) into the road transport sector, providing a comprehensive and sustainable framework to combat the impacts of climate change and enhance road resilience in Nepal and South Asia. SWN expertise is formalized in the“Nature-Based Solutions Guideline for Climate-Resilient Road Infrastructure in Nepal”, which was developed in partnership with the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC), in partnership with TRL UK, and Scott Wilson Nepal, with financial support from the World Bank.
Highlights of the Nature-based Solution (NbS) Guideline:
- Establish a High Standard: Developed by senior experts with decades of experience in Nepal and grounded in extensive literature and research, ensuring the inclusion of the latest technologies and practices.
- Ensure Global Alignment: Adhere to the eight criteria set by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Global Standard for NbS, reinforcing the credibility and applicability of our work.
- Address Policy Gaps: Provide essential guidance to key agencies like the Department of Roads (DoR) and the Department of Local Infrastructure Development (DoLID), complementing existing bio-engineering efforts and facilitating the mainstreaming of NbS across the national road network.
Scott Wilson Nepal Strength: A Holistic NbS Approach
The SWN approach moves beyond traditional engineering to offer solutions that are more cost-effective, environmentally sound, and socially beneficial.
| Key Focus Area | What NbS Provides | Benefits & Outcomes |
| Slope Stabilization | Utilizing bio-engineering techniques, locally sourced rock, gravel, and soil. Minimizes the use of steel, concrete, and imported materials. | Climate Resilience: Stabilizes predominantly shallow soil-based cut and fill slopes, mitigating erosion and landslide risk caused by extreme weather. |
| Road Structure | Implementing natural surfaces (cobblestones, stone paving) and natural structures (dry stone walls, timber crib walls) for surfacing, drainage, and safety barriers. | Sustainability: Lower carbon footprint and long-term durability. Accommodates unavoidable incremental movement in deep-seated landslides. |
| Road Landscape | Addressing broader watershed issues through improved water management, slope/ground condition improvement, and vegetation management far from the road. | Ecosystem Services: Regulates the water cycle, enhances water infiltration, improves water quality, and fosters biodiversity preservation. |
| Community Engagement | Focusing on community extension and labor-based construction methods. | Socio-Economic Gains: Creates local employment opportunities and provides communities with enhanced livelihoods through the sustainable harvesting of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs). |
By integrating NbS principles, we offer solutions ensuring that road infrastructure development is not only resilient to a changing climate but also promotes sustainable and inclusive development for the communities along road corridors.
Nature-based Solution for Protecting River Basins in Nepal
Nature-based Solutions (NbS) are becoming a vital approach for protecting river basins in Nepal, where young mountain ecosystems, intense monsoon rainfall and flash rain, and rapid environmental change increase the risks of floods, landslides, and soil erosion. Major river systems such as the Koshi River Basin, Gandaki River Basin, and Karnali River Basin are especially vulnerable to these hazards. Through measures such as reforestation, wetland restoration, riverbank vegetation, and slope stabilization using bio-engineering techniques, NbS help regulate water flow, reduce sediment loads, and strengthen ecosystem resilience. Unlike conventional concrete embankments and dams, these nature-based approaches work with natural processes, making them more adaptable and environmentally sustainable in the long term.
In addition to reducing disaster risks, NbS in Nepal’s river basins also contribute significantly to livelihoods, biodiversity conservation, and climate change adaptation. Community forestry, agroforestry, and watershed restoration programs empower local people to manage natural resources while protecting critical water sources and farmland. Restored floodplains and wetlands improve groundwater recharge, support fisheries, and provide habitats for wildlife, enhancing both ecological and economic resilience.
Scott Wilson Nepal offers a valuable model for scaling up Nature-based Solutions across Nepal’s vulnerable river systems through participatory site selection, science-based vulnerability mapping, and locally adapted designs for sustainable river basin management
Photo: Chepe Khola, Rainas-5, Gandaki River Basin, Scott Wilson Nepal, 2024
The project followed the river-basin approach that linked upstream, midstream, and downstream communities while promoting bioengineering, water harvesting, and ecosystem restoration as climate adaptation measures. By integrating indigenous knowledge, local plant species, and participatory planning, SWN ensured that NbS interventions are socially inclusive and environmentally sustainable. These approaches aim to safeguard agricultural land, forests, and settlements from increasing risks of floods, landslides, and droughts driven by climate change.
A major focus of SWN’s work has been the identification and design of nature-based structures such as bund protection dams, diversion channels, check dams, runoff diversion systems, and green belts. Through extensive field assessments and GIS-based analysis, the project identified more than 1,600 potential intervention sites across seven sub-basins, including 60 bund protection dams, 125 runoff diversion channels, and 1,376 gully check dams. These structures combine engineering techniques with vegetation, such as gabions reinforced with plants and vegetative check dams, to stabilize slopes and control erosion while blending into the natural landscape.
Photo: Lothar mau kholsa, Manahari-6, Scott Wilson Nepal, 2024
In parallel, SWN has prioritized large-scale ecosystem restoration through enrichment plantation and wetland rehabilitation. The study identified about 6,867 hectares of potential plantation areas, including forest, grassland, and wetland ecosystems, along with more than 400 conservation ponds. Suitable native species were selected based on slope, altitude, and community preferences, ensuring higher survival rates and long-term benefits. These restoration efforts enhance soil stability, improve water retention, and strengthen biodiversity, directly contributing to reduced disaster risks and improved livelihoods.
Urban Nature-based Solutions in Nepal
Urban Nature-based Solutions (NbS) are becoming increasingly vital in Nepal as cities such as Kathmandu, Dharan, Pokhara, Dhangadhi, Itahari, and Janakpur face rising climate-related challenges, including flooding, heat stress, air pollution, solid waste management, and water scarcity. Rapid and unplanned urbanization with heavy dependence on grey infrastructure have intensified these risks, leading to economic losses, public health concerns, and social displacement. NbS in Nepal are evolving from small-scale greening efforts to more integrated, data-driven planning tools. River restoration, urban forests, green infrastructure, and ecosystem-based flood management are helping cities reduce disaster risks while improving public health and social well-being.
By combining traditional practices with modern green design and strong community participation, urban NbS offer a cost-effective and sustainable pathway for climate-resilient development. Scaling up these approaches through supportive policies and planning can significantly strengthen the long-term resilience of Nepal’s growing cities.
SWN, in partnership with Pagasys, supported the integration of Urban Nature-based Solutions (NbS) into climate-resilient planning for Dharan Sub-Metropolitan City under the Integrated Water Supply and Sanitation Management Project (IWSSMP) for the Asian Development Bank. Through a rapid climate risk and vulnerability assessment, the team identified key threats from flooding, landslides, and rising temperatures and developed evidence-based adaptation options that combine grey infrastructure with ecosystem-based measures. The study applied multi-criteria and cost–benefit analysis to prioritize feasible and cost-effective solutions, while ensuring social inclusion and institutional alignment. By embedding NbS into urban water and sanitation planning, the project established a strong foundation for climate-resilient infrastructure development in Nepal’s secondary cities.
Photo: Dharan Sub Metropolitan City, Nepal, Scott Wilson Nepal
The assignment also emphasized institutional strengthening and practical capacity building. SWN delivered interactive training workshops that enhanced stakeholders’ skills in climate hazard mapping, risk screening, and adaptation planning, increasing their confidence in applying NbS in future projects. Key deliverables included a comprehensive climate risk assessment, a prioritized list of adaptation options, detailed costing of six high-impact measures, technical guidance for NbS implementation, and simplified planning tools for municipal use. These outputs, together with strengthened coordination among local and national agencies, created a replicable framework for mainstreaming Urban NbS into infrastructure planning and investment across Nepal.
Scott Wilson Nepal supported UNDP in the integration of Urban Nature-based Solutions (NbS) in Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan City through the Green Transition Baseline Study by assessing eco-friendly municipal services, NbS policies, and green infrastructure such as parks, restored ponds, and river corridors. The study also reviewed renewable energy use and rainwater harvesting, identifying high public interest but low adoption due to cost and awareness barriers. These findings provided a strong evidence base for scaling up urban NbS. At the same time, SWN established a robust monitoring and evaluation framework by measuring 38 indicators, including eight related to NbS and municipal services, using surveys, interviews, and administrative data. This enabled systematic tracking of service quality, policy awareness, and community participation while highlighting gaps in documentation and compliance monitoring. The framework supports adaptive management, accountability, and long-term assessment of climate-resilient urban development.
Mitigation of Landslides using Nature-Based Solutions (NbS)
While policy development and guidelines are critical, the strength of NbS lies in practical application. A strong example of field-based implementation is SWN’s work under the Pratibaddha Project, implemented in 2023.
The Pratibaddha Project was funded by the European Union and led by People in Need (PIN) Nepal, in partnership with the Community Self-Reliance Centre (CSRC), Save the Children Nepal, and SW Nepal Pvt. Ltd. (Scott Wilson Nepal). The project was done in landslide-prone municipalities such as Bahrabise Municipality and Bhotekoshi Rural Municipality in Sindhupalchok District, and Uttargaya Rural Municipality and Naukunda Rural Municipality in Rasuwa District.
Rigorous monsoon rainfalls, slope disturbances and poor drainage systems often cause landslides in these susceptible regions. SWN held five practical demonstration exercises to illustrate how bio-engineering can be applied in slope stabilization. Before developing site-specific mitigation plans, each site was thoroughly evaluated based on the slope type, soil depth, drainage patterns, rock conditions, cracks and vegetation cover.
At Gautam Buddha School in Naukunda Rural Municipality (Ward No. 3), SWN combined bio-engineering with retaining walls and improved side drainage systems to stabilize slopes surrounding the school. Vegetative reinforcement through grass and shrub plantations significantly improved slope stability.
At Lamche Dhunga, a Category-II landslide site in Uttargaya Rural Municipality (Ward No. 3), SWN implemented diagonal plantation using Khar and Amlisho, shrub plantation with Nigalo, brush layering using Simali, and bamboo plantation. This layered vegetation approach successfully enhanced slope stabilization and vegetation cover in a high-risk zone.
In Bhotekoshi Rural Municipality (Ward No. 5), east of the Chaku Marming Road (Chainage 0+600 km), smaller-scale bio-engineering measures like diagonal plantation and shrub plantation were useful in reducing erosion and enhancing roadside slopes.
On the same note, SWN implemented a hybrid system of civil and bio-engineering interventions at Chaku Bazaar (Category-II landslide site) in Bhotekoshi Rural Municipality (Ward No. 4), comprising diagonal planting, brush layering, palisade construction, bamboo planting, and stone-paved drainage systems. This composite system strengthened the slope and, at the same time, controlled the surface water runoffs.
A mixture of diagonal plantation, brush layering, shrub plantation, bamboo plantation and stone-paved drainage in Khagdal, Municipality of Bahrabise, Ward No. 2 (Ward No. 2) showed the flexibility of NbS in varying slopes.
The key characteristic of the Pratibaddha interventions was high local government and community involvement. With the usual four-year period taken by vegetation to complete its engineering role, societies have taken up the commitment of protecting and maintaining the sites planted. Notably, Bhotekoshi Rural Municipality used budget resources to carry on with the introduction of bio-engineering in the local road improvement projects, which is a long-term institutional ownership.
The interventions emphasize that despite the small scale and community-based NbS projects, risks of landslides can be substantially minimized, provided that these projects are based on the correct evaluation, technical design, and involvement.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How are Nature-Based Solutions different from traditional grey infrastructure?
Nature-Based Solutions use ecosystems such as vegetation, soils, and water systems to reduce risk and build resilience. Grey infrastructure uses concrete and steel primarily. In practice, combinations of the two are the most effective.
Are Nature-Based Solutions recognised internationally?
Yes. Nature-Based Solutions are accepted by other organisations like IUCN, and they are becoming embedded into global climate and biodiversity, as well as disaster risk policies.
How do NbS reduce climate-induced loss and damage in Nepal?
NbS restores natural systems that buffer floods, landslides, erosion, and drought. This reduces damage to infrastructure, agriculture, and communities while protecting ecosystems and local knowledge.
What types of Nature-Based Solutions are most suitable for Nepal?
Some common methods of bioengineering include stabilising the slope, managing watersheds, restoring riverbanks, and implementing green infrastructure in urban areas.
How does Scott Wilson Nepal support Nature-Based Solutions projects?
Our services include evidence-based end-to-end support of assessment, design, implementation, and safeguards, as well as monitoring based on the local context.
What is the IUCN Global Standard for Nature-Based Solutions?
It is an international framework with criteria and indicators to ensure NbS interventions are effective, fair and sustainable.
How is the impact of Nature-Based Solutions measured?
Impact is measured through Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning systems that track risk reduction, ecosystem health, and social outcomes.
How do Urban Nature-Based Solutions reduce heat stress and flooding?
Urban NbS increases vegetation and permeable surfaces, which reduce surface runoff, improve drainage, and lower urban temperatures.