1. General information
Location and description of the intervention
City or FUA
Panaji
Region
Asia
Short description of the intervention
St Inez creek was an ecologically functional tidal waterbody in Panaji, Goa. Panaji has been identified as one of the most vulnerable coastal cities from floods due to the predicted sea-level rise. St Inez creek is one of the very important freshwater bodies in the city because of its cultural, social and biodiversity value. Recently, the ecological functionality of the creek was severely compromised through a combination of natural degradation and anthropogenic influences, which includes sedimentation, collapsed embankments, eutrophication, weed growth, pollution, the release of raw sewerage from neighbouring informal settlements and dumping of construction debris. The current intervention is about the restoration of the creek to conserve the urban nature and ecological systems and to increase the resilience of the city. [1, 2]
Address

Panaji
India

Location
The NBS is a city-wide initiative, the GIS point marks the centre of the city
Type of area before implementation of the NBS
Other
Please specify “other type of area” before implementation of the NBS
Creek and area adjacent to it.
Website of the intervention
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/343892466_Nature-based_solutions_to_cl…
Timeline of intervention
Start date of the intervention (planning process)
2016
Start date of intervention (implementation process)
2016
End date of the intervention
ongoing
Present stage of the intervention
Ongoing
Goals of the intervention
1. To create a model for citizen-led restoration programmes that could be implemented along the length of the creek with different stakeholders.
2. To keep with the aims of the Smart Cities Mission and the AMRUT programmes launched by the National Government.
3. To improve the health of the waterbody and address associated public health and biodiversity concerns.
4. To increase climate resilience and to encourage the use of natural resources by local residents. [1, 2, 4]
Quantitative targets
Unknown
Monitoring indicators defined
Dissolved Oxygen (DO), pH, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), fecal coliform and total coliform. [4]
Sustainability challenge(s) addressed
Climate action for adaptation, resilience and mitigation (SDG 13)
Climate change adaptation
Water management (SDG 6)
Flood protection
Improvements to water quality
Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
Habitat and biodiversity restoration
Economic development and employment (SDG 8)
Economic development: agriculture
Cultural heritage and cultural diversity
Preservation of natural heritage
Climate change adaptation: What were the goals of the NBS?
Reduce the impacts of climate risks events on urban places and communities
Build resilience
Climate change adaptation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets?
Renaturalization of rivers and other water bodies
What types of restoration goals are / were defined for the NBS intervention?
Ecosystem-focused
What activities are implemented to realize the restoration goals and targets?
Rehabilitate and restore damaged or destroyed ecosystems
Restore species (native, endangered, or unspecified)
Implementation activities
The following activities were implemented; 1. Aerators were installed to improve the oxygen level of the water body. 2. Monitoring of parameters like DO, pH, TDS, fecal coliform and total coliform. 3. A floating bioremediation island was created. 4. Attempts were made to prevent garbage and sewage from entering it, clean-up drives were carried out using a boat and nets, the creek edge was transformed into a community garden and waste recycling programmes were introduced. [1, 3, 4, 5]
Type of NBS project
Management and improved protection of rivers and other blue areas
Ecological restoration of ecosystems
NBS domain and interventions
Ecological domain(s) where the NBS intervention(s) is/are implemented
Blue infrastructure
Rivers/streams/canals/estuaries
Vegetation Type
Garden beds
Amenities offered by the NBS
Unknown
Services
Expected ecosystem services delivered
Provisioning services
Water (surface and ground water for drinking and non-drinking purposes)
Regulating services
Flood regulation
Habitat and supporting services
Habitats for species
Scale
Spatial scale
Meso-scale: Regional, metropolitan and urban level
Beneficiaries
Primary Beneficiaries
Citizens or community groups
Please specify other local relevant strategy
Smart Cities Programme Panaji. [6]
Governance
Governance arrangements
Co-governance with government and non-government actors
Non-government actors
Non-governmental organisation (NGO) / Civil society / Churches
Citizens or community groups
Social enterprise
Please specify the roles of the specific government and non-government actor groups involved in the initiative
Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited (IPSCDL), the Corporation of the City of Panaji, Public Works Department, Water Resources Department, Goa State Pollution Control Board, Greater Panaji Planning and Development Authority, the Taleigao Village Panchayat and City Development Initiative for Asia along with some local community groups. The project is being led by the IPSCDL. The others are part of it. [1, 6]
Key actors - initiating organization
Regional government
Land owners
Public space owned by the city
Key actors - Other stakeholders involved (besides initiating actors)
Regional government
Non-government organisation/civil society
Citizens or community group
District/neighbourhood association
Land owners
Public space owned by the city
Participatory methods/forms of community involvement used
Dissemination of information and education
Consultation (e.g. workshop, surveys, community meetings, town halls)
Co-management/Joint management
Citizen oversight (e.g. boards, advisory)
Citizen monitoring and review
Policy drivers
NBS intervention implemented in response to an Regional Directive/Strategy
No
NBS intervention implemented in response to a national regulations/strategy/plan
Yes
Please specify the national regulations/strategy/plan
Smart Cities Mission and Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT). These are national programmes.
NBS intervention implemented in response to a local regulation/strategy/plan
Yes
Please specify the "local regulation/strategy/plan"
Smart Cities Programme Panaji. [6]
Mandatory or voluntary intervention
Mandatory (based on policy)
Intervention is mandatory
Environmental regulation
Enablers
Presence of specific city-level GI/NBS vision/strategy/plan - mentioned in connection to the project
Unknown
Presence of specific city-level GI/NBS section/part in a more general plan - mentioned in connection to the project
Yes
Please specify the general plan with GI/NBS section
Smart Cities Programme Panaji. [6]
If there is a relevant strategy or plan, please specify the theme / type of the plan.
Other
Presence of city network or regional partnerships focused on NBS - mentioned in connection to the project
Unknown
Presence of GI / NBS research project - mentioned in connection to the project
Yes
Please specify
Project Preparation Study (PPS) and Detailed Project Report (DPR) prepared by Panaji Smart City Development Ltd (IPSCDL) and City Development Initiative for Asia (CDIA). [6]
Subsidies/investment for GI / NBS in the city - mentioned in connection to the project
Unknown
Co-finance for NBS
Yes
Co-financing governance arrangements
Unknown
Was this co-governance arrangement already in place, or was it set up specifically for this NBS?
Unknown
Financing
Total cost
Unknown
What is/was the Cost/Budget (EUR) of the NBS or green infrastructure elements?
Unknown
What are the total amount of expected annual maintenance costs?
Unknown
What is the expected annual maintenance costs of the NBS or GI elements?
Unknown
Please specify cost savings
Unknown
Please specify total cost (EUR)
Unknown
Source(s) of funding
Public regional budget
Public local authority budget
Multilateral funds/international funding
Type of fund(s) used
Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities)
Non-financial contribution
Unknown
Business models
Risk reduction model
Which of the involved actors was motivated by this model?
Public actor (e.g. municipality)
Type of innovation
Technological
Infrastructural innovation
Social
Cultural innovation
Please specify technological innovation
1. Low-cost interventions such as traps and dragnets to filter solid waste at regular intervals along the creek. 2. Landscaping solutions to stabilize the banks and improve pedestrian access to public green spaces along the creek. [1]
Please specify social innovation
1. The project advocated for increased community and youth engagement to enhance the feeling of responsibility and appreciation for their natural environment. 2. Several workshops were organized to engage local communities and groups of different aged people. 3. Stakeholders at the different levels are also attached to the project. [3, 5, 6]
Novelty level of the innovation
Unknown
Please specify novelty level of the innovation
Unknown
Replicability/Transferability
Unknown
Please specify Replicability/Transferability
Unknown
Impacts, benefits
Environmental impacts
Climate change
Strengthened capacity to address climate hazards/natural disasters
Water management and blue areas
Improved water quality
Increased protection against flooding
Enhanced protection and restoration of freshwater ecosystems
Green space and habitat
Increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems
Reduced biodiversity loss
Description of environmental benefits
The project is ongoing, and while some impacts listed here and reported impacts, most benefits are only expected.
1. Small fish population has been found to be increasing.
2. Reduction in the foul smell emanating from the creek.
3. Reduction of the pollution level and the overall contamination of the area.
4. More fishes are expected to return and fishing activities are also expected to resume.
5. Flooding risks are expected to reduce significantly and the creek is expected to have improved retention for water. [1, 5, 6]
Economic impacts
Increase in agricultural production (for profit or not)
Please specify other socio-cultural impact
Improved aesthetics
Description of economic benefits
The project is ongoing, thus some of the benefits are expected. 1. Some parts of the adjacent area have been converted to community garden, which is expected to attract locals to grow own food. [1]
Social and cultural impacts
Social justice and cohesion
Increased involvement of locals in the management of green spaces
Increased access to healthy/affordable food
Education
Increased support for education and scientific research
Increased knowledge of locals about local nature
Increased awareness of NBS and their benefits
Other
Description of social and cultural benefits
The project is ongoing, thus some of the benefits are expected.
1. Enhanced aesthetic quality of the area.
2. Several workshops have been organized involving the locals and young communities. These are expected to improve the understanding and benefits of the creek in building the resilience of the city.
3. The project is expected to bring back the glory and memories of the creek. It was a culturally and socially very important water body in the city.
4. The implementation and monitoring of the project involved local people.
5. It also provides an opportunity for some locals to grow own food at the community garden. [1, 4, 6]
Type of reported impacts
Expected impacts
Achieved impacts
Indicators
Dissolved Oxygen (DO), pH, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), fecal coliform and total coliform. [4]
Analysis of specific impact categories
Job creation: The NBS created ...
No information available
Environmental justice: The implementation of the NBS project resulted in ...
Positive distribution of NBS benefits
Increased access to healthy food for humans and/or animals
Negative impacts: Did the project cause any problems or concerns?
No information was found regarding negative impacts of the project
COVID-19 pandemic
Unknown as of October, 2021.
Methods of impact monitoring
Process of recording NBS impacts
Collection of monitoring data continuously throughout the project to aid evaluation
Methods used to evaluate the impacts of NBS
Measurements of biophysical aspects of the NBS (e.g. temperature, water flow)
Observation (including virtual surveillance methods)
Evidence for use of assessment
Presence of an assessment, evaluation and/or monitoring process
Unknown
Presence of indicators used in reporting
No evidence in public records
Presence of monitoring/evaluation reports
No evidence in public records
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
No evidence in public records
Impact assessment mechanism
Name of any specific impact assessment tools
Unknwon
Use of GIS in mapping impacts
No evidence in public records
Citizen involvement
Citizens involvement in assessment/evaluation
Yes
Mode(s) of citizen involvement in evaluation/assessment
Focus Group
Submission of monitoring data (citizen observation)
Citizens involvement in the analysis of the assessment/evaluation
Unknown
Follow-up to the evaluation / assessment
Unknown
References
List of references
1. Gajjar, S.P. (2020). Nature-based solutions to climate change in coastal cities. URL: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/343892466_Nature-based_solutions_to_climate_change_in_coastal_cities. Accessed on 10th October, 2021.
2. Sharma, D., Singh, R., Singh, R. (2014). Climate Resilient Infrastructure Services: Case Study Brief Panaji, Goa. URL: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/275645409_Climate_Resilient_Infrastructure_Services_Case_Study_Brief_Panaji_Goa. Accessed on 10th October, 2021.
3. The Times of India. (2021). Climate Resilient Infrastructure Services: Case Study Brief Panaji, Goa. URL: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/st-inez-creek-de-silting-project-now-with-wrd/articleshow/84002896.cms. Accessed on 10th October, 2021.
4.The Navhind Times. (2016). Finally, some breathing space for St Inez creek. URL: https://www.navhindtimes.in/2016/02/07/goanews/finally-some-breathing-space-for-st-inez-creek/. Accessed on 10th October, 2021.
5. Climate-KIC Project Pages. URL: https://www.climate-kic.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/City-Challenge-Panaji.pdf. Accessed on 10th October, 2021.
6. Cities Development Initiative for Asia. (2019). Panaji Set to Restore its Creek to Pristine Glory. URL: https://cdia.asia/2019/10/09/panaji-set-to-restore-its-creek-to-pristine-glory/. ACcessed on 10th October, 2021.
7. The Goan Network. (2021). Attempt to restore St Inez creek; task force formed. URL: https://www.thegoan.net/goa-news/attempt-to-restore-st-inez-creek-task-force-formed/74263.html. Accessed on 10th October, 2021.
Comments and notes
Additional insights
To restore it to its pristine glory, the St. Inez Creek Rejuvenation Project was initiated by Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Ltd (IPSCDL), which was a part of the overall creek restoration this intervention is about. A project preparation study (PPS) was carried out which recommended a more environmentally friendly approach to the creek’s regeneration while maximizing community and youth engagement in finding solutions that residents can support and embrace. The PPS started off with the review of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) published in 2017. The project looked at the environmental problems and suggested civil engineering works combining sound engineering and nature-based solutions to improve the environmental conditions and livability around the creek. [6]
Public Images
St Inez Creek
St Inez Creek
https://cdia.asia/2019/10/09/panaji-set-to-restore-its-creek-to-pristine-glory/
St Inez Creek
St Inez Creek
https://www.climate-kic.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/City-Challenge-Panaji.pdf