Canal Restoration in Kochi, India
Degraded canals in Kochi, India, are polluting waters and increasing flood risks.
Degraded canals in Kochi, India, are polluting waters and increasing flood risks.
In Kochi, India, canals have been used for transportation, fishing, and flood control for generations. Over time, these canals have severely degraded, polluting waters and increasing flood risks. According to a survey of over 300 households on the canalside, 44% experienced flooding during heavy rainfall, and 39% experienced tidal flooding. This is expected to worsen as climate change leads to more extreme monsoons and sea level rise.
To address these challenges, bechtel.org (the social impact arm of engineering company Bechtel) collaborated with ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability, South Asia and Swiss Re to design a pilot canal restoration project using nature-based and hybrid infrastructure along 2km+ of the Pandarachirathodu Canal.
Our report analyzes the socioeconomic and environmental impacts of three potential intervention scenarios:
Our assessment found all three scenarios to be investment-worthy, with the highest net benefit produced by Scenarios 2 and 3 (INR 325-331 million): the combination of Integrated Wetland Technology with a form of NBI. However, the highest benefit to cost ration (BCR) was Scenario 1, the baseline intervention of hybrid Integrated Wetland Technology. Here, for every INR 1 invested can result in INR 9.78 net benefits for society, the economy and the environment.
The NBI Global Resource Centre aims to bring together key partners to establish a business case for Nature-Based Infrastructure (NBI).
Get in touch to learn more, collaborate, or for media enquiries and speaking engagements.