Nature-based solutions (Nbs) are considered as interventions which involve natural processes and ecosystems to solve different types of societal challenges and are able to provide sustainable, cost effective & flexible approaches for disaster risk reduction. The importance of such solutions are highlighted in the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 as an effective technique to reduce disaster risk, adapt to climate change and strengthen community resilience.
The application of nature-based solutions for slope stabilization and protection is now used world-wide as an efficient, cost effective and eco-friendly approach. The nature-based solutions are often unique to particular areas, and context specific. It is reported that often success of such measures depends on the contextual setting in terms of ecosystems, climate zones, elevations, geo-environment etc. Thereby highlights its unique nature in application and need for specialist judgment in design and planning by not only traditional experts such as geo-technical engineers, engineering geologists etc. but also others such as agronomists, landscape architects, botanists, land use planners etc. Moreover, the selection and use of appropriate plants and vegetation for bioengineering applications could be overlooked due to the unavailability of proper studies on suitable plants and criteria for selection of different plant species for diversity of services expected from vegetation, when used for the purpose of stabilizing slopes.
In recent years, Nbs for landslide risk mitigation have effectively been utilized in many Asian countries, such as Nepal, Pakistan, India, Hong Kong, Thailand, Taiwan etc. The experience in those countries shows that not all types of landslide can be mitigated through Nbs techniques alone. Nbs usually help enhancing the effect of other structural mitigation measures. Hence, it is suggested to have hybrid (combination of nature-based and engineering measures) approaches for landslide risk management, when appropriate.
The World Bank has launched an Analytics and Advisory Services project in Sri Lanka on Nature-Based Landslide Risk Management, with National Building Research Organisation (NBRO), the mandated agency for landslide risk management. It aims to raise awareness and extend the knowledge on the role of nature-based and hybrid (combination of nature-based and engineering measures) solutions for landslide risk management within Sri Lanka. The Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) has been assigned to provide implementation support and technical guidance in executing the project.
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