Shruti Ashish Lahoti

The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) emphasizes the need for innovative approaches to foster harmonious coexistence with nature, particularly in managing critical resources such as watersheds. This study applies the Nature Futures Framework (NFF) to integrate diverse value perspectives on nature into sustainable watershed management, addressing a gap in traditional approaches that often overlook stakeholder plurality. Using a three-step approach—combining literature reviews, key informant interviews, and workshops with experts and local stakeholders—we applied the NFF in the Baroro Watershed (Philippines) to assess current pressures, envision desirable futures, and identify strategies for transitioning toward them. Our results highlight socio-economic, institutional, and demographic changes as major indirect drivers contributing to direct pressures such as climate change, land use changes, and pollution, leading to significant challenges in managing the Baroro Watershed. We present three visions of desirable futures, each reflecting different value perspectives on nature: Sustainable Forest Protection and Restoration (nature for nature), Sustainable Farming Practices and Judicious Growth (nature for society), and Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Practices (nature as culture/one with nature). We then analyze the current opportunities and enablers for achieving these desired watershed futures, addressing relevant drivers of change. The study illustrates the complex connections between drivers of change and their implications for desirable futures. By serving as a guiding lens that integrates ecological, societal, and cultural dimensions, the NFF enabled the assessment of synergies and trade-offs across different visions and pathways, presented in the Discussion. Our findings provide insights into improving governance structures, enhancing policy alignment, and fostering inclusive decision-making processes. We conclude with recommendations for integrating spatial data and maintaining ongoing stakeholder engagement to refine these strategies and assess their impact over time. These insights enhance localized resource management and contribute to global CBD efforts toward harmonious coexistence with nature.

Rapid urbanization in the Global South poses challenges to ecological integrity, cultural heritage, and equitable access to green infrastructure. This study evaluates the effectiveness of recent green infrastructure projects in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, including flagship parks and upgraded road corridors, through the lens of the Urban Nature Futures Framework (UNFF). To operationalize the UNFF’s three perspectives—Nature for Nature (NN), Nature for Society (NS), and Nature as Culture (NC)—a context-specific set of indicators was developed through the existing literature, global assessment frameworks, and stakeholder consultations. A mixed-methods approach, combining structured surveys with both qualitative and quantitative thematic analysis, was applied across four stakeholder groups: residents, park visitors, corridor users, and experts. The results indicate that while social benefits (NS) are widely recognized, ecological (NN) and cultural (NC) dimensions receive comparatively less emphasis. Regression analysis shows that education, employment, and green space use frequency significantly shape perceptions of NS and NC, while NN are more consistently shared across groups. This study demonstrates the practical value of the UNFF as an assessment tool and offers a replicable methodology for evaluating multifunctional green infrastructure. The findings underscore the need for more inclusive, biodiversity-positive, and culturally grounded urban renewal strategies. These insights are relevant for planners and policymakers aiming to foster equitable and resilient urban environments in rapidly growing cities.

The accelerating impacts of climate change, including escalating urban temperatures and the heightened occurrence of extreme weather events, present formidable challenges for rapidly growing cities, particularly in the Global South. Nature-based solutions (NBS) present transformative pathways to address these issues, offering sustainable approaches to enhance resilience, mitigate urban challenges, and improve the well-being of urban residents. Urban Green Spaces (UGSs) are central to these solutions, providing climate adaptation and mitigation benefits.This study investigates the applicability of the 3–30–300 rule—a recently proposed guideline for equitable urban greening—through case studies in two Indian cities, Nagpur and Jaipur. The guideline advocates for three visible trees per residential building, 30% neighborhood UGS cover, and at least one hectare of UGSs within 300 meters of residences. A GIS-based analysis of land cover maps was conducted to assess public UGS availability, proximity, and provisioning gaps, addressing the 30-300 components. Household surveys measured the visibility of trees to evaluate the "three visible trees" component. A zone-specific analysis explored the potential of applying the 3–30–300 rule to mitigate challenges urban areas face, such as the Heat Island phenomenon and increased urban flooding—exacerbated by rapid urbanization and climate change.This research develops a replicable and scalable methodological framework, enabling its application to other cities undergoing rapid urban transitions. By quantifying the benefits of equitable urban greening, the study provides urban planners and policymakers with actionable insights and tools for informed decision-making. Highlighting the potential of integrating NBS into mainstream urban planning, the study positions the 3–30–300 rule as a practical and effective guideline for addressing urban sustainability and resilience challenges, particularly in resource-constrained cities of the Global South.

Balancing human activities and ecosystem health is critical amid increasing biodiversity concerns. This study explores the relationship between food provision and habitat quality in bioproduction systems in the Philippines, focusing on the Pagsanjan-Lumban Watershed (PLW) and the Baroro Watershed (BW). Using the TerrSet Land Change Modeler for LULC projections, the InVEST model for habitat quality assessment, and statistical analysis of disaggregated crop production data, this study evaluates the synergies and trade-offs between food provision and biodiversity conservation. The findings reveal that LULC changes—such as shifts in annual crops, built-up areas, forests, and agroforestry systems—impact ecosystem health. Habitat quality in the PLW shows temporal degradation, while the BW remains relatively stable. Food production trends indicate fluctuating yields in the PLW, with a decline in the BW. Correlation analysis highlights trade-offs between food provision and habitat quality in the PLW, whereas the BW exhibits a positive correlation, suggesting potential synergies. These findings emphasize the importance of place-based strategies to reconcile food production and biodiversity conservation, ensuring sustainable bioproduction systems that support both ecosystem health and food security.

This study aims to investigate how urban residents interact with Urban Green Spaces (UGSs) in Nagpur, India, specifically focusing on the patterns of visitation and engagement. Data were collected via a face-to-face questionnaire survey using the Survey 123 app. The analysis included interaction (types of UGSs, visitation frequency, and UGS availability); engagement (activities); demographics (age, gender, and work status); and nature connection (self-reported) aspects. Using data from 2002 participants, the study employs statistical analyses using R software (4.3.2) to explore the correlations between these variables. The results revealed key factors influencing UGS usage, highlighting the interplay between environmental and social aspects. Neighborhood UGSs, proximity, and accessibility were found to be pivotal in promoting frequent visitation, while physical activity emerged as the most common activity among daily visitors. Older adults visited UGSs less frequently, suggesting potential barriers, while employed individuals visited more often. A strong association between nature connection and UGS interaction was highlighted, emphasizing the psychological and emotional aspects of UGS usage. For example, individuals who felt more connected to nature reported using UGSs for physical activities, mental relaxation, and socializing. These findings underscore the need for integrating UGSs within broader urban social-ecological systems, which means recognizing these spaces as vital components contributing to overall health and resilience and catering to the population’s diverse needs, ensuring that these spaces are accessible and enjoyable for all community members, including those from different cultural, age, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Additionally, fostering nature connectedness through education and exposure to natural environments is recommended to enhance UGS usage, supporting broader urban planning strategies to create sustainable and healthy urban environments.

The correlation between connecting with nature and fostering pro-environmental behavior is essential to attaining sustainability targets. However, understanding how this connection is cultivated, particularly in the urban settings of the Global South, remains limited. This study delves into the impact of urban green space (UGS) availability on perceived connection with nature (CN) and its subsequent influence on pro-environmental behavior (PEB) among urban residents, focusing on Nagpur city. Employing a digital survey tool, data were collected from 2414 participants across ten administrative zones. Descriptive and exploratory analyses alongside multinomial logistic regression were conducted to assess variable associations using R programming. The results revealed that 91% of respondents frequented UGSs, while a smaller fraction cited time constraints for not visiting. Notably, respondents’ perceived CN demonstrated significant associations with both UGS availability and PEB. A regression analysis underscored stronger PEB among those reporting a deeper connection with nature. Furthermore, demographic factors such as gender, age, and education were linked to variations in PEB. This study advocates for leveraging UGSs to bolster CN and PEB among urban populations, emphasizing the pivotal role of urban planning in nurturing human–nature connections. Future research should explore specific nature contact modalities conducive to fostering connectedness, especially in rapidly urbanizing locales.

In rapidly expanding Indian cities, the current provisions for public urban green spaces (PUGS) falls below the minimum standards recommended by the WHO, linked with the well-being of urban dwellers. The local authorities are struggling to fulfill the supply side gap, with a disparity in PUGS provisions. Currently, the provisions focus on fulfilling the prerequisites identified by the planning agencies and do not appropriately address the urban greenspace demands. However, effective planning has been emphasized as a way to respond to the diverse, competing and changing demands of PUGS, allowing the incorporation of the needs and preferences of urban dwellers in the planning and management of PUGS to help determine their multifunctionality, usefulness, and popularity. In response, this study attempts to capture the demands of urban dwellers through local social data for neighborhood PUGS of the fast-urbanizing Nagpur. We attempt to assist local authorities in better understanding the provisions for planning and managing PUGS that can fulfil the growing PUGS needs of urban dwellers. Via a social survey of users and residents, we capture visitations, usage, activities, motives of visits, and perceptions about neighborhood PUGS characteristics. The findings highlight the determinants that influence the usage and favored activities. Urban dwellers have a strong tendency to use neighborhood “parks and gardens” due to their convenient proximity, emphasizing how crucial their location is in shaping urban residents’ engagement with these spaces. The socio-demographics shape the preference, and the locals hold negative perceptions about size, vegetation, amenities, as well as maintenance. The identified determinants (access and availability), influencing factors (socio-demographic), and the barrier to usage (negative perceptions) need prioritized attention from the local authorities to accommodate the diverse and competing demands of different sub-groups of the urban dwellers.