Educational and research amenities (nature protection centre, monitoring stations)

In order to prevent the damage to mangrove forests that occurred over the last few decades or more, a project was started in the Penang region aiming to raise public awareness regarding the importance of mangroves for their continued conservation and protection through active community participation (community resilience) (1). The project closely relates to the GEF Focal Area on Biodiversity Conservation operational programme (OP) 2 on Coastal, Marine and Fresh Water Ecosystems and is led by the Penang Inshore Fisherman Welfare Association (PIFWA). The project aimed to regenerate mangrove forests by planting up to 11,000 saplings in order to rehabilitate the once degraded mangroves as they are able to ultimately improve the wetland ecosystem and its biodiversity and thus sustain the livelihood of fisher communities (1).
Mangrove forests are an important part of the Malaysian coastline. Besides their contributions to the biodiversity of the Malaysian coast, mangroves also help greatly with protecting the coastal strip from erosion and providing a means of living for the communities located close to the forests. Stabilising the shoreline and reducing soil erosion, mangroves are also home to myriad species of plants and animals, they provide timber and non-timber forest products, and they support fisheries (1,2). Due to their importance, their disappearance is greatly noticed. From 2000, within a period of 15 years, 25,500 hectares of mangrove forests disappeared, mostly due to industrial-scale logging, clearance for shrimp farming, tourism or firewood (5).

Bayangol park is located in the Bayangol district of Ulaanbaatar along the Tuul riverside. The "Bayangol Agropark" was originally established in 2014 under the administration of the Assembly of Citizens' Representatives of Bayangol District. Later, in 2021, it was renamed "Bayangol Park", and the park activities were expanded. The 50-hectare area along the Tuul river basin is expected to develop into an eco-park where people can enjoy their free time in a safe and welcoming atmosphere. Since its opening, over 16000 trees have been planted in this park as part of the nationwide "One billion trees" movement, which aims to lessen the impact of climate change, decrease desertification, protect forests and water resources, and increase employment. As the second-largest park in the capital city, the park also provides opportunities for sports and culture. (Ref. 1, 2, 4)

Pirojshanagar Township is an industrial and residential establishment of the company Godrej & Boyce Mfg. Co Ltd (G&B), located in the Vikhroli suburb of Mumbai city along Thane creek, with diverse natural and human-made habitats (1,2). Of the 16 km2 area of the Township, approximately 12 km2 is occupied by the mangrove ecosystem and its associated habitats (1,2). Upon recognizing the importance of this ecosystem, G&B decided to prioritize the conservation of the mangroves that grew along the banks of the newly acquired land (along the Thane Creek west bank) (1,2). Pirojshanagar, with its biodiverse mangrove forest, is sandwiched between two solid waste dumping grounds of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), which only increases its importance in the landscape and makes it a green oasis that acts as a carbon sink (1). It was a research-based project and the first successful mangrove conservation project in Mumbai, now serving as the Mumbai Metropolitan's green lung (1,2).

Benchakitti Forest Park was created as the extension of the existing Benchakitti Water Park, which is located near the central business district of Bangkok, Thailand. The Forest Park is built in an old Thai Tobacco Factory area. The main concept of the park is to bring the forest into the city and support urban biodiversity while offering leisure activities for the people. The main features in this project include constructed wetlands, nature learning and exercise trails (for running and bicycling), a learning centre, an urban farming area and multipurpose open space for gathering and event activities. Benchakitti Forest Park can be divided into 2 parts. The first part is a green outdoor area including the wetlands, all trails and an outdoor amphitheatre. This first part was completed and open to the public in 2022. The second part is the renovation of buildings into museums and the creation of an urban farm and other facilities associated with the building. This second part is still under construction. (Ref. 1,2,3)

Neknampur Lake, also known as Ibrahim Bagh Cheruvu, located in Hyderabad, Telangana State of India, has historical importance and was part of a water reservoir network for irrigation and drinking as well as an inalienable part of the rural ecology of the village (1,2). Due to urbanization, the lake underwent drastic changes in ecology, land use and management in the past decade. Scientific investigations conducted by the Telangana State Biodiversity Board on Neknampur Lake highlighted that the water body was full of sludge and extremely eutrophicated, showing elevated algal growth (2). This was mainly because of the unabated entry of sewage and other waste over an extended period into the lake (1,2). In June 2016, The NGO named 'Dhruvansh' decided to adopt Neknampur Lake and thus began a series of interventions that incorporated bioremediation and phytoremediation techniques, regular cleanup drives of plastic removal and recycling campaigns into a restoration plan for the lake (1,2). With the support of the government institutions, 'Dhruvansh' began the revival of the lake across two phases: (1) the revival of the lake periphery and the lake body, followed by (2) the revival of the lake ecosystem (1,2). The ecological restoration of Neknampur Lake has improved the ecological services it provides and restores the glory of this historically significant lake, now known as a biodiversity hotspot (1,2,3,4).

Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) is a private research university located in the main residential area of Lahore City and is spread over a 100-acre area and hosts various plant and bird species. The Life Sciences Department of LUMS collaborated with the Botany Department at the Government College University to plant some rare species of endangered trees at LUMS. The project aims to preserve the ecosystem on the LUMS campus and develop an inventory of plants and animals commonly found on the campus. Taxonomic expertise and the modern science of DNA sequencing are used in the analysis and identification of plants. Additionally, LUMS aims to be the first University in Pakistan to set up a national biosurveillance system that would track biodiversity at all documented sites with their GPS coordinates across the whole campus. It envisions creating knowledge and awareness about the importance of the diverse biodiversity found on campus. It will enhance the effective management of present resources to preserve them for future generations. These findings may potentially serve numerous disciplines from other departments and also increase information and effective management of wildlife on campus. (Ref: 1, 2, 3)

The Upper Kinta River Basin covers an area of about 31,470 hectares above Ipoh City, and it is the main water catchment resource for the residents of the city and its surrounding areas. The Kinta river basin is now threatened by land erosion, land development, improper sewage treatment and irresponsible waste discharges (Ref 1). In 2021, a pilot project was implemented near the city of Ipoh along the SimpangPulai Highway and experimented with river bio-engineering techniques to reduce soil erosion and subsequently prevent sedimentation downstream (Ref 3). The pilot site was established as part of the Mainstreaming Biodiversity Conservation into River Management project, which focused on applying nature-based solutions for mainstreaming biodiversity into riverine landscape planning and watershed management in Malaysia. To provide seedlings for the bio-engineering project and also other related initiatives, a nursery was established in the indigenous Pawong Orang Asli Village. The nursery also provided additional income for communities (Ref 4). The pilot was developed with the expectation to be upscaled and replicated in other parts of the UKB, especially along the SimpangPulai Highway. (Ref. 6)

The International Cultural Garden Park (IC Park) is a comprehensive, private-sector-led, green development project in Yarmag, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Initiated in 2021 by the Ikh Uilsiin Ereld Group LLC on its own property land as part of its social responsibility, the planned area covers a 35 hectares (86 acres) site. First, an international design competition was announced to plan the project. As a result of this competition, a contemporary park concept was developed for Ulaanbaatar's New Center to convey an international concept, with designs of significant cultural and historical elements from over ten different nations. The IC Park will also serve as a venue for a variety of international events, including conferences, sporting competitions, cultural festivals, and more. Green technology is being used with particular attention throughout the park's construction, and more than 90 species of trees and about 50 species of natural perennials growing in Mongolia are planned to be planted with the cooperation of professional tree planting and gardening organizations, specialists, researchers, and scientists. As of today, more than 7,000 trees have been planted in the project area, and professional personnel are diligently working on their care and pruning. The project is expected to reduce the negative consequences of global warming, create a greener environment, and secure long-term employment. (Ref. 1, 2, 4, 7)

As early as 2010, the then authorities of Malaysia announced plans to transform certain Malaysian cities into green cities. Motivations behind these actions focused on addressing environmental challenges such as carbon emissions, high temperatures, and a reconnection with nature. One of the cities where green ideas were to be implemented was Putrajaya, located 25 km south of Kuala Lumpur (Ref 3). As this is a very complex project, the initiative was being led by the Perbadanan Putrajaya (PPJ), which is a local authority that administers the Federal Territory of Putrajaya and is under the Federal Territories Ministry of Malaysia. In transforming Putrajaya into a green city, PPJ undertook 38% of its area to be developed into parks, lakes, and wetlands while the rest is reserved for government offices, commercial and residential development, public utilities, and amenities (Ref 1). Green actions involved the creation of a wetland (the largest constructed freshwater in Southeast Asia), the implementation of an Urban Farming Programme and Rooftop Farming programmes, as well as large-scale tree planting (Ref 2, 3). PPJ aims to transform Putrajaya into a green city by 2025 including Putrajaya Inter-Parks Ride, Pedestrian Walkways and Bicycle Lanes. Putrajaya’s efforts in the implementation of these green initiatives have received numerous awards & recognitions (Ref 3).

The project “Enhancing climate resilience of Gorakhpur by buffering floods through climate-resilient peri-urban agriculture” is part of the Asian Cities Climate Change Resilience Network (ACCCRN) and financed by The Rockefeller Foundation. It was implemented by the Gorakhpur Environmental Action Group (GEAG) from June 2012 to May 2016 to demonstrate how ecosystem services generated by peri-urban agriculture can positively address the impacts of climate change in Gorakhpur, a city located in eastern Uttar Pradesh, India (Ref 1, 2). To be more specific, it was set out to “demonstrate flood risk mitigation through the preservation and improved management of open spaces by strengthening agriculture-based livelihoods in peri-urban areas” (Ref 1, 2). The main project outcomes were focused on conserving peri-urban agricultural land areas as they serve to climate-proof cities and build resilience, enhance the livelihood and food security of vulnerable groups in peri-urban areas, as well as establish sustainable and climate-resilient models (Ref 1). Activities like baseline surveys, field interventions, climate resilient extension systems, the adaptation of practices and research and advocacy were carried out to achieve the project outcomes (Ref 1). Additionally, the project has successfully improved the soil and water quality and developed special measures for waste management (Ref 1, 2, 3).