Delhi, the capital city of India, has a rich history of natural landscapes that have been gradually disturbed and transformed as the city developed over time. Delhi’s region has a varied topography, characterized by the Yamuna River, floodplains, and the Aravalli Range. These natural features have significantly shaped the city’s landscape and influenced its susceptibility to flooding during the monsoon season.

Historically, Delhi’s landscape was interspersed with forests, wetlands, and water bodies, which provided ecological balance and served as natural water reservoirs. The Yamuna River, flowing through the city, was an essential lifeline, sustaining agriculture and serving as a source of water for both humans and wildlife. The floodplains alongside the river were characterized by extensive grasslands and marshes that helped absorb excess rainwater and regulate the river’s flow.

However, as Delhi urbanized and developed into a metropolis, the natural landscape underwent significant changes. Expanding infrastructure, population growth, and rapid urbanization led to the conversion of agricultural land, wetlands,

and forests into built-up areas. This encroachment on natural spaces disrupted the ecological balance and reduced the city’s natural resilience to floods.

The rapid construction of buildings, roads, and concrete structures has led to increased surface runoff during the monsoon season. With limited green spaces and vegetation to absorb rainwater, the excess water flows rapidly into the drainage system, overwhelming it and leading to flooding in many areas of the city. Additionally, the encroachment and narrowing of the Yamuna floodplains have further limited the river’s capacity to contain excess water, exacerbating flood risks.

In recent years, Delhi has witnessed severe flood situations during the monsoon season due to climate change. The inadequate drainage infrastructure, combined with the loss of natural water reservoirs and the encroachment on the floodplains, has intensified the flood risks faced by the city.

Some areas include Nagar-Jahangirpuri Metro Station, Anand Parbat Road, Archana T-point (Greater Kailash), Adarsh Nagar-Hakikat, Mukarba Chowk to Model Town via Azadpur, Bhishma Pitamaha Marg towards Pragati Vihar Hostel, Hansraj Gupta Marg, and DND Flyover towards Maharani Bagh, a few to name likely face heightened flood risks due to a combination of factors. Firstly, their geographical location might make them

and forests into built-up areas. This encroachment on natural spaces disrupted the ecological balance and reduced the city’s natural resilience to floods.

The rapid construction of buildings, roads, and concrete structures has led to increased surface runoff during the monsoon season. With limited green spaces and vegetation to absorb rainwater, the excess water flows rapidly into the drainage system, overwhelming it and leading to flooding in many areas of the city. Additionally, the encroachment and narrowing of the Yamuna floodplains have further limited the river’s capacity to contain excess water, exacerbating flood risks.

In recent years, Delhi has witnessed severe flood situations during the monsoon season due to climate change. The inadequate drainage infrastructure, combined with the loss of natural water reservoirs and the encroachment on the floodplains, has intensified the flood risks faced by the city.

Some areas include Nagar-Jahangirpuri Metro Station, Anand Parbat Road, Archana T-point (Greater Kailash), Adarsh Nagar-Hakikat, Mukarba Chowk to Model Town via Azadpur, Bhishma Pitamaha Marg towards Pragati Vihar Hostel, Hansraj Gupta Marg, and DND Flyover towards Maharani Bagh, few to name likely face heightened flood risks due to a combination of factors. Firstly, their geographical location might make them

and forests into built-up areas. This encroachment on natural spaces disrupted the ecological balance and reduced the city’s natural resilience to floods.

The rapid construction of buildings, roads, and concrete structures has led to increased surface runoff during the monsoon season. With limited green spaces and vegetation to absorb rainwater, the excess water flows rapidly into the drainage system, overwhelming it and leading to flooding in many areas of the city. Additionally, the encroachment and narrowing of the Yamuna floodplains have further limited the river’s capacity to contain excess water, exacerbating flood risks.

In recent years, Delhi has witnessed severe flood situations during the monsoon season due to climate change. The inadequate drainage infrastructure, combined with the loss of natural water reservoirs and the encroachment on the floodplains, has intensified the flood risks faced by the city.

Some areas include Nagar-Jahangirpuri Metro Station, Anand Parbat Road, Archana T-point (Greater Kailash), Adarsh Nagar-Hakikat, Mukarba Chowk to Model Town via Azadpur, Bhishma Pitamaha Marg towards Pragati Vihar Hostel, Hansraj Gupta Marg, and DND Flyover towards Maharani Bagh, few to name likely face heightened flood risks due to a combination of factors. Firstly, their geographical location might make them

more susceptible to heavy rainfall and water accumulation. For instance, low-lying areas, proximity to water bodies, or insufficient drainage infrastructure can contribute to the vulnerability of these stretches. Secondly, the urbanization and development in these areas might have compromised the natural water drainage systems. The construction of buildings, roads, and other infrastructure can disrupt the natural flow of water, leading to increased surface runoff and potential flooding.

Replacing new high-rise buildings in cities with not much space between two with excessive concretization, congested roads, & no green space between also responsible to contribute to waterlogging and the creation of heat islands, which are areas with significantly higher temperatures compared to their surrounding areas. Here’s how these issues can arise:

• Reduced Permeable Surface: High-rise buildings typically have larger footprints and are constructed with extensive concrete and asphalt surfaces. These impervious surfaces prevent rainwater from infiltrating the ground, leading to increased surface runoff. The water has limited pathways for absorption, resulting in waterlogging during heavy rainfall events.
• Inadequate Drainage Infrastructure: As cities grow and new buildings are constructed, the existing drainage infrastructure may become insufficient to handle the increased volume of stormwater runoff. The lack of proper drainage systems exacerbates waterlogging issues as the excess water has no efficient outlet, causing it to accumulate on the streets and in low-lying areas.
• Disruption of Natural Drainage Patterns: Construction of high-rise buildings often involves altering the natural topography of an area. This can disrupt natural drainage patterns, such as redirecting the flow of water or blocking natural channels. Consequently, water may accumulate in unexpected areas, leading to localized flooding and waterlogging.
• Heat Island Effect: High-rise buildings contribute to the urban heat island effect, where cities experience higher temperatures compared to the surrounding rural areas. Tall buildings cast shadows, limiting the penetration of sunlight and reducing air circulation, resulting in trapped heat. Additionally, the materials used in constructing high-rise buildings, such as concrete and glass, absorb and retain heat, further raising temperatures in the immediate vicinity.
• Reduced Green Spaces: Constructing high-rise buildings often involves clearing green spaces & vegetation. The removal of trees & vegetation reduces the cooling effect provided by shade & transpiration, leading to increased temperatures. Green spaces play a crucial role in regulating temperature, reducing heat, & absorbing rainwater, which is majorly lacking in new planning.

All the above facts highlight an important and widely recognized reality: as climate change progresses, cities will indeed face significant challenges, such as increased flooding and heatwaves. These urban areas, with their dense populations and extensive infrastructure, are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

Therefore, city planners must prioritize resilience and explore innovative solutions.

The concept of weaving nature back into the urban fabric is a promising approach. Historically, many cities were built in harmony with their natural surroundings, but rapid urbanization and development have often resulted in the degradation or neglect of natural elements within cities. By reintegrating nature into urban areas, city planners can harness the numerous benefits it offers.

Nature-based solutions, such as green roofs, urban parks, lakes, and tree-lined streets, can help mitigate the effects of climate change. Vegetation helps reduce the urban heat island effect, lower temperatures, and improve air quality. Green spaces and lake sites in cities play crucial roles in mitigating the adverse effects of urbanization and climate change. They contribute to temperature reduction by providing shade and promoting cooling through evapotranspiration. Moreover, these natural elements act as effective stormwater management tools, absorbing and storing rainwater to minimize runoff, ultimately helping to prevent flooding during heavy rainfall events.

To capture the broader impact on all stakeholders, the definition of natural asset classes such as land must be expanded to include ecosystem services beyond the landowner as a starting point.

The global economy’s undervaluation of nature and natural resources is causing humanity to pay the ultimate price, from deforestation to extinction. The underinvestment in protecting biodiversity has been going on for too long, and many economic activities are causing active damage, which should be viewed as the wholesale theft of valuable shared assets.

The destruction of nature is a form of fraud against countries and society, putting at risk resources that currently contribute to about half of the global GDP, estimated at $44 trillion. Losing even a fraction of ecosystem services, such as wild pollinators, marine fisheries, and tropical forests’ timber, could result in a reduction of approximately $2.7 trillion in global GDP annually by 2030.

Our current relationship with nature has bleak economics. According to the seminal Dasgupta report on the economics of biodiversity, our demands on nature exceed its capacity to supply them, causing significant pressure on biodiversity and putting future generations at “extreme risk.”

Countries must urgently ban the destruction and degradation of nature to increase deterrence against nature abuse

and recognize its costly consequences. Treating the theft of natural capital as a financial crime, just like any other, would compel a global reassessment of nature’s value based on legal and economic accountability that recognizes healthy ecosystems as a foundation of our collective well-being.

Expanding the definition of natural asset classes, such as land, to include ecosystem services beyond the landowner is a necessary starting point to capture its wider impact on all stakeholders. By including all the diverse ecosystem services that fall under an organization’s responsible management, nature can be considered an asset class alongside real estate, cash, bonds, and equity. This would help incorporate environmental degradation and biodiversity loss as a material risks to businesses and investments.

Moreover, this would establish nature as an appreciating asset when protected and managed sustainably. By extending legal interests beyond the landowner, all parties with an interest in preserving its value, including future generations, can be included.

This action would increase legal accountability for those causing harm and incentivize the protection of nature. Fully including nature as an asset class would send a clear message that investing in environmental preservation is not a tradeoff but a source of sustainable

benefits resulting from safeguarding critical natural resources for the future. Such incentives can play a fundamental role in achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, including reducing poverty and protecting life on land and below water.

A transformation in this regard is beginning to occur. The UN General Assembly (UNGA) voted in favour of a resolution to seek an advisory opinion from the International Criminal Court of Justice (ICJ) on countries’ responsibilities to address climate change, signalling consequences for inaction.

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) recognized the human right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment last year, which raised expectations for governments and businesses to uphold this right. The European Union is currently reviewing proposals to impose fines on companies for environmental offences, such as pollution from shipping, equivalent to at least 10% of their revenue and prohibit them from accessing public funding. These proposals align with the draft Directive on Corporate Sustainability, which is set to be implemented this year, making environmental and human rights due diligence mandatory and imposing civil liabilities on large companies operating in the 27 member states that do not comply.

The battle against wildlife poaching has made significant progress. In the past, poachers were often discouraged by small fines. Still, now illegal poaching is increasingly being prosecuted as illegal trafficking and is subject to more severe legal consequences, such as imprisonment.

Several initiatives and mechanisms are emerging to educate decision-makers on their responsibilities and liabilities towards the planet’s natural resources. The Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), for instance, is developing a framework to help companies assess and disclose their impact on nature, as well as their dependence on it, in order to highlight nature-related financial risks.

Other initiatives are also gaining momentum to push for a reassessment of the value of nature and the risks posed by its degradation. One such example is the Stop Ecocide Foundation, which is involved in intergovernmental efforts aimed at establishing the large-scale, long-term destruction of nature as an international crime.

Advocating for nature’s right to exist and regenerate can have numerous positive impacts in slowing down biodiversity loss globally. Some movements are already calling for legal recognition of nature’s rights, such as campaigners urging the North Sea to have legal rights to consider the impact of offshore oil rigs and wind

farms on climate change and biodiversity. Several countries worldwide are also taking steps towards recognizing nature’s rights in their legal frameworks.

The UN Development Programme (UNDP) has launched the BIOFIN initiative, collaborating with over 40 countries to devise national biodiversity finance plans, providing 150 workable mechanisms for governments to safeguard and invest in nature without sacrificing economic benefits. This involves redirecting nature-damaging subsidies to promote nature-positive initiatives that prioritize equity.

While progress has been made towards greater accountability, a collective effort is necessary from governments, global organizations, civil society, non-profits and all stakeholders to alter our perception of nature’s value and the cost of its destruction. Holding those accountable for the theft or destruction of our natural assets through enforceable liability can be a powerful instrument for promoting a sustainable future on a thriving planet.

Human as blight vision also is self-defeating in organizing around environmental issues. It’s hard to get people enthused about a movement that even unconsciously envisions their extinction as a good. However, have the potential to reverse all degradation and humans if (as) separate from nature; whether we place ourselves above, below, or at the centre, we will inevitably create false dichotomies and set up human/nature oppositions in which everyone loses.  

My Passion

My passion is making environmental consciousness work and making this awareness accessible to everyone. I believe this is the highest service I can provide to the world and you (And I love & enjoy doing it, too!). Unless the thinking involved in a system is developed or evolved, the underlying structure, including the brain, remains unchanged. Part of the awareness is to pay attention to our habitual patterns of thinking that are responsible for most of our actions.

When I look at the degradation, consumption patterns with the rising human population, and related problems, we face personally and globally, the immediate facilitation step with new awareness is the only lasting cure I see. Ethically, as a human, I need to behave in a way such that if everyone behaves that way, it will solve most of the problems.

My Mission

Help as many people and the community as possible; my mission is to…

• Learn and embody amazing connections to raise awareness of diversity and nature’s power.

• Strip away needless nonsense – within myself and the facilitation,

• Deliver the message in as clear & helpful a manner as possible to bring as many possibilities for a shift for a better environment and well-being.

• Make the project work with the awareness of the environment and well-being in connection and easily accessible to all.