SEN successfully hosted a webinar on 13 March 2026 as part of the Nepal National Glacier, Water and Weather Week (NNGWWW) initiative, focusing on the potential of Nature-based Solutions (NbS). The session featured Mr. Vishwa Ranjan Sinha, Senior Program Officer for Water and Wetlands at the IUCN Asia Regional Office, Bangkok, as the keynote speaker, alongside insightful case studies from Nepal presented by Rebecca Gurung, Tribikram Basnet, and Pravash Rajbhandari.
The discussion provided a comprehensive overview of NbS, including scoping processes, key concepts, and practical approaches for implementation in alignment with IUCN Global Standards. It also covered the technologies involved, ecosystem services supported by NbS, and the criteria for designing, monitoring, and verifying effective interventions. Participants engaged in an interactive dialogue, gaining clarity on applying NbS within local contexts and distinguishing genuine NbS from other approaches.
Key takeaways from the session included:
• A Local Solution: NbS is highly region- and community-specific, rooted in local knowledge and needs rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
• Embracing Balance: Effective NbS requires navigating trade-offs and making balanced decisions for optimal outcomes.
• A Mission of Harmony: NbS aims to safeguard society while conserving, restoring, and sustainably using natural resources, fostering coexistence between people and nature.
• Part of a Bigger Picture: NbS is not a standalone solution but a critical component of broader management strategies that integrate social and political dimensions.
Overall, the webinar fostered meaningful knowledge exchange and reinforced a shared commitment to advancing resilient and sustainable solutions through Nature-based Approaches in Nepal.
