– By Krishna Dev Joshi
As climate-induced floods, sedimentation and land degradation intensify across the Bagmati River Basin, communities in Marin Rural Municipality and Gadhimai Municipality are experiencing growing pressure on ecosystem services, agriculture, water systems and livelihoods. Responding to these challenges, the BAGAR Project supported a comprehensive Multi-Stakeholder Vulnerability and Risk Assessment (MPCVRA) that brought together Ward and Municipal level Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) Forums as key local decision-making bodies.
A Participatory Assessment Grounded in Local Knowledge
The VRA blended scientific analysis hazard mapping, land-use trend assessment and GIS-based exposure and vulnerability mapping with extensive community consultations. Ward-level EbA Forums played a central role in identifying local climate hazards such as floods, riverbank cutting, soil erosion, drought, heatwaves, wildfires and pest outbreaks. They also helped surface the underlying socio-economic vulnerabilities particularly for Dalit and Indigenous communities, women and those dependent on natural resources.
Municipal-level EbA Forums validated these findings and harmonized insights across all wards ensuring the assessment reflected local realities and municipal priorities.
Key Recommendation: Develop Land Use Planning and Floodplain Zoning
One of the most important outcomes of the VRA was a clear and urgent recommendation:
Marin and Gadhimai Municipalities should develop formal land-use plans and floodplain zoning to guide restoration and management of the floodplains through EbA and Nature-based Solutions (NbS).
The analysis revealed:
- Declining cropland, forest cover and water bodies
- Increasing floodplains
- Widespread exposure to flood hazards and erosion along riverbanks
- Rapid and unregulated expansion of built-up areas
These trends highlight the need for proactive planning to protect ecosystems services, rehabilitate degraded areas and prevent further encroachment into high-risk zones.
EbA Forums Have Initiated the Process With BAGAR Support
With strategic technical guidance from the BAGAR Project, the EbA Forums at ward and municipal levels have begun shaping a clear pathway toward sustainable floodplain restoration and informed land-use zoning. Their early actions are centered on leveraging Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) to restore degraded floodplains and guide future development decisions. Key initiatives include:
- Systematic mapping of degraded floodplain to pinpoint zones where native vegetation restoration, agroforestry and bioengineering can stabilize riverbanks, enhance natural buffers and revive ecological functions.
- Prioritization of restoration hotspots for EbA and NbS interventions such as multi-layered agroforestry, floodplain re-greening, wetland revitalization, water source restoration, etc. that improve water retention and reduce flood risks.
- Identification of high-risk floodplain corridors where zoning regulations should restrict new settlements and infrastructure to prevent future risks and safeguard natural flood pathways.
- Initiation of planning dialogues to embed EbA and NbS principles into municipal planning and budgeting process, including the development and formulation of Land use plans and EbA Master Plans.
These efforts signify a transformative move toward evidence based and ecosystem centered land-use planning. By anchoring zoning decisions in the principles of floodplain restoration, the EbA Forums are helping municipalities to shift from reactive flood management to proactive resilience building by laying a strong foundation for restoration of critical ecosystems that enhances long term community resilience.
Building Toward Climate-Resilient Floodplain Restoration
The participatory MPCVRA has done more than identify risks, it has empowered local institutions. The Ward and Municipal EbA Forums now have:
- A shared understanding of vulnerabilities
- Evidence-based maps and data
- Community-driven priorities
- Momentum to shape future land-use decisions
By initiating the process of land-use planning and advocating for floodplain zoning, these EbA forums are steering their municipalities toward long term restoration, climate resilience and sustainable ecosystem management through ecosystem-based adaptation and nature-based approaches.
The BAGAR Project’s facilitation has ensured that these foundations are inclusive, community-owned and aligned with Nepal’s national climate adaptation priorities and setting the stage for resilient and restored floodplains across the Bagmati River Basin.
