Last updated: October 2021
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]
St Inez Creek
https://cdia.asia/2019/10/09/panaji-set-to-restore-its-creek-to-pristine-glory/
Overview
Nature-based solution
- Blue infrastructure
- Rivers/streams/canals/estuaries
Key challenges
- 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
Focus
Management and improved protection of rivers and other blue areas, Ecological restoration of ecosystems
Project objectives
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]
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]
Climate-focused activities
Climate change adaptation:
- Renaturalization of rivers and other water bodies
Biodiversity conservation or restoration-focused activities
Biodiversity restoration:
- Rehabilitate and restore damaged or destroyed ecosystems
- Restore species (native, endangered, or unspecified)
Main beneficiaries
- Citizens or community groups
Governance
Management set-up
- Co-governance with government and non-government actors
Type of initiating organisation
- Regional government
Participatory approaches/ community involvement
- 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
Details on the roles of the organisations involved in the project
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]
Project implemented in response to ...
... an EU policy or strategy?
No
... a national policy or strategy?
Yes
(Smart Cities Mission and Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT). These are national programmes. )
... a local policy or strategy?
Yes
(Smart Cities Programme Panaji. [6])
Financing
Total cost
Unknown
Source(s) of funding
- Public regional budget
- Public local authority budget
- Multilateral funds/international funding
Type of funding
- Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities)
Non-financial contribution
Unknown
Impacts and Monitoring
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
Economic impacts
- Increase in agricultural production (for profit or not)
Socio-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
Type of reported impacts
Expected impacts, Achieved impacts
Presence of formal monitoring system
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
References
1. Gajjar, S.P. (2020). Nature-based solutions to climate change in coastal cities. URL: Source link. Accessed on 10th October, 2021.
2. Sharma, D., Singh, R., Singh, R. (2014). Climate Resilient Infrastructure Services: Case Study Brief Panaji, Goa. URL: Source link. Accessed on 10th October, 2021.
3. The Times of India. (2021). Climate Resilient Infrastructure Services: Case Study Brief Panaji, Goa. URL: Source link. Accessed on 10th October, 2021.
4.The Navhind Times. (2016). Finally, some breathing space for St Inez creek. URL: Source link. Accessed on 10th October, 2021.
5. Climate-KIC Project Pages. URL: Source link. Accessed on 10th October, 2021.
6. Cities Development Initiative for Asia. (2019). Panaji Set to Restore its Creek to Pristine Glory. URL: Source link. ACcessed on 10th October, 2021.
7. The Goan Network. (2021). Attempt to restore St Inez creek; task force formed. URL: Source link. Accessed on 10th October, 2021.
2. Sharma, D., Singh, R., Singh, R. (2014). Climate Resilient Infrastructure Services: Case Study Brief Panaji, Goa. URL: Source link. Accessed on 10th October, 2021.
3. The Times of India. (2021). Climate Resilient Infrastructure Services: Case Study Brief Panaji, Goa. URL: Source link. Accessed on 10th October, 2021.
4.The Navhind Times. (2016). Finally, some breathing space for St Inez creek. URL: Source link. Accessed on 10th October, 2021.
5. Climate-KIC Project Pages. URL: Source link. Accessed on 10th October, 2021.
6. Cities Development Initiative for Asia. (2019). Panaji Set to Restore its Creek to Pristine Glory. URL: Source link. ACcessed on 10th October, 2021.
7. The Goan Network. (2021). Attempt to restore St Inez creek; task force formed. URL: Source link. Accessed on 10th October, 2021.
St Inez Creek
https://www.climate-kic.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/City-Challenge-Panaji.pdf
Information about this nature-based solution was collected as part of the UNA global extension project funded by the British Academy.