The Centre of Excellence on Sustainable Land Management (CoE-SLM), under the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), successfully concluded its international training program on Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) for Resilient Ecosystems and Societies. Held from March 17 to March 21, 2025, the program brought together 20 participants from across the globe, including Egypt, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Zambia, Lebanon, Kenya, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Malawi, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Austria, Poland, Madagascar, and India.
Over five days, participants engaged in lectures, field visits, interactive sessions, and case studies, focusing on how NbS can help combat climate change, land degradation, and biodiversity loss. Experts from Lublin University (Poland), Wetlands International South Asia, and Banaras Hindu University shared insights on implementing NbS strategies worldwide.
The training explored key policy frameworks and sustainable land management practices, demonstrating how NbS can be integrated into land-use planning, water conservation, and agriculture to enhance environmental and socio-economic resilience. A special emphasis was placed on community-based approaches, ensuring that local knowledge plays a central role in NbS initiatives.
A major highlight was the field visit to the ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil and Water Conservation Research Farm in Selaqui, where participants learned practical water management techniques and discussed topics like governance, wetlands, and climate-resilient agriculture.
On the final day, discussions focused on the Nature-Based Green Economy, exploring how NbS can drive sustainable economic growth. Participants shared successful NbS practices from their countries, highlighting the global relevance and adaptability of these solutions.
In her concluding remarks, ICFRE Director General, Mrs. Kanch Devi, stressed the need for global cooperation in tackling climate change and land degradation. She underscored the critical role of NbS in building a sustainable and resilient future.
