Urban Plantations Enhance Climate Resilience in the Kathmandu Valley

SUMMARY: The Kathmandu Valley has been facing environmental stress and climate change impacts. Rapid urbanization, loss of urban green ecosystems, urban floods and rising temperatures are big problems of all cities in the Valley. To restore ecological balance and improve climate resilience, the Urban EbA Project launched a community-based plantation initiatives at public schools, public urban open spaces, river banks and roadsides. The initiatives were led by municipalities with active participation of youth, students, women groups, red cross society, NGOs ensuring local ownership and sustainability. 10,437 saplings, consisting of 16 plant species and 5 shrub species, were planted. The plants are healthy with strong growth. Local urban communities now benifit from clean air, cool micro climates and improved asthetics in their neighborhood.

CLIMATE DISRUPTION: Weather patteren and climate of Kathmandu Valley have already changed; and that disruption has made cities in the Valley more vulnerable with pronounced impacts, such as rising temperatures and heat island stress, urban flooding, land slides, winter droughts and  wild fires, among others.

IMPACT STORY: 10,437 tree saplings have been planted till the end of September 2025 over the past four years. Healthy and well-growing plants have created  visible and lasting impacts in the Kathmandu Valley, transforming urban neighborhoods into green and healthy places to live, while fostering a strong sense of community ownership. Implemented through a participatory approach, the initiatives engaged municipalities, ward offices, youth, students, women groups and local residents in every stage of the plantation-from digging pits and preparing soil with manure to planting and protecting saplings with tree guards. This collaboration not only ensured technical quality and higher survival rates of the plants but also built local capacity for long-term care of plants. More than 25000 of urban residents benefit from the plantation resulting in clean air, cool microclimates, and improved aesthetics in urban neighborhoods. Beyond environmental improvements, the initiatives have strengthened social bonds, inspired youth to take leadership in environmental activities, who now see the plantations as shared assets for their climate resilience.