Nature as critical ally | Political Economy

For decades, we have been significantly careless with planning and developing our cities. We have considered the protection of nature as the latter thinking or something that doesn’t really matter. This low -looking approach has only cost us with the destruction of the ecosystem, but also to tackle the complex social challenges we have now faced, especially in dealing with the complex social challenges associated with climate and natural disasters.

Over time, more and more people have realized the standing cost of neglecting nature. This change in awareness has led to the rise of nature -based solution (NBS), which is explained by the International Union for Nature Protection, “measures to permanently handle and restore the natural and modified ecosystem, benefit people and nature at the same time.”

In view of the challenges facing urban areas in Pakistan, NBS climate change and the fight against its challenges can prove to be a decisive factor. Since Islamabad faces water shortage, rainwater harvesting stands as the most possible option for NBS intervention. The Capital Development Authority will have to order the rain water harvesting system in every newly constructed house.

In addition to the benefits of the risk of its destruction (DRR), this intervention will ensure that groundwater is recharged and stormy water is effectively managed. In addition, the stored water opens the city horticulture and residence improvement opportunities, which offers the potential benefits of livelihood.

To prepare a copy of the rain water harvest, Pakistan can see its northern neighbor China, which has been a strong lawyer for the urban rain water harvest (URWH). China faced water safety problems due to rapid citizenship, population growth and unequal investment in water infrastructure. It introduced URWH to handle rainwater at the domestic and social level, which helped solve these suppressed issues.

The introduction of URWH did not bring success overnight. It was a gradual process, focusing on long -term goals that received rewards over time. The real capacity of the NBS can only be estimated through its permanent, long -term implementation.

In the last 30 years, China has gone through three stages: a preliminary development phase, followed by rapidly, and eventually, the concept of sponge cities. During the 2010 citizen’s high level development forum, China’s urban water challenges were classified in four important issues: dehydration, urban floods, water pollution and damage to water environment.

There is a need for policy interference that not only reduces the effects of environmental disasters but also leads to sustainable development.

In view of the unique nature of each problem, the URWH emerged as a practical and effective solution, which presented an integrated approach to rainwater management, which collects rainwater, stores, behavior and reuse rainwater in urban areas.

India has actively pursued mangrove gardens as a specific NBS intervention. In Kerala, in the twentieth century, after the widespread destruction of mangroves, efforts were made to change through the Guru billion Tree Program.

Now, these mangroves protect the Wembanid lake and coastal ecosystem. In addition to protecting carbon emissions from flooding and reducing carbon emissions, they provide livelihoods for local communities and support maritime life, as some other environmental systems can be found. Economically, they eat local fishermen and draw environmental tourists into the area.

From a climate point of view, mangroves act as a natural shield, defend against storms, storms and waves, while also purifying water and promoting the overall health of nearby water reservoirs.

In view of the benefits of the risk of economic and destruction (DRR), the mangroves that provide mangroves, their protection along the coast of Karachi is an important priority for policy makers. Nevertheless, despite the efforts of various organizations and countless planting drives, urban spreads are a growing threat to their future. In fact, over the past years, Mangroland has been cleared to make place for housing promotion as well as trade and industrial projects. Between 2010 and 2022, the Sindh Department of Forests reported the loss of about 200 hectares of mangrove forests along the coast of Karachi. It is a trend for both the environment and communities that rely on these ecosystem.

The term NBS serves as an umbrella for a wide range of environmental system -based interference. Although only two are mentioned in this article, there are many more, which often connect with traditional knowledge and methods of indigenous people and local communities.

In order to effectively integrate NBS into policymaking and governance, strong government and meaningful engagement with all stakeholders are essential. This requires a top downward approach, where the ministries not only accept this concept but also align their policies accordingly, which assign the responsibilities to appropriate agencies. The first essential step for this process is to identify stakeholders, which will bring us closer to successfully connecting NBS at the national level.

From a financial point of view, the cost of intervention and benefits are the foundations for determining the success of NBS. These solutions are really sustainable, the economic concerns should be paid proper attention. The long -term benefits are clearly higher than the short -term costs. In the upper part, support for the ongoing policy is very important to guarantee the long -term results. If these aspects are ignored, the NBS is considered a temporary solution, eventually leaves communities and the ecosystem in an uncertainty.

NBS is used globally. It has great potential to suppress global challenges, improve human welfare and protect the environment. For Pakistan, the concept of NBS offers interesting possibilities. Many citizens of the country can provide solving suspicion. In place of the right policies, the NBS can play a key role in reducing the negative effects of the climate crisis, strengthening social flexibility and reducing the risk of destruction for citizens.

The author, a UCL and a former student, works in Oxford policy management. She is the co -founder of a community -based learning platform Hemskhan