Climate stories highlight the impacts of climate change on communities, ecosystems, and economies hardest hit, often focusing on firsthand experiences and local challenges.
They also showcase solutions and actions being taken to mitigate or adapt to climate change, inspiring others to get involved.
Restoring green spaces for climate resilience and community rights
In Nepal, rapid urban expansion and weak land governance have long threatened the availability of public green spaces, areas vital not only for recreation but also for building resilience to climate risks. In municipalities like Chandragiri, the encroachment of public land by private actors was often overlooked, and at times quietly enabled, due to poor oversight and limited community participation in decision-making. As green spaces shrank, so too did opportunities for communities to strengthen climate preparedness and shape more sustainable futures.
In 2024, this pattern began to change.
Transparency International Nepal secured a public commitment from Chandragiri Municipality to prioritise the development of green parks and enhance disaster preparedness through a climate-focused approach. These spaces would serve multiple purposes: offering recreation, reducing urban heat, absorbing floodwaters, supporting biodiversity, and helping communities adapt to growing climate risks. This commitment went beyond a symbolic pledge - it reflected a growing recognition that protecting public land is fundamental to both environmental justice and accountable governance.
Encouragingly, when they engaged with the municipality, Transparency International Nepal learned that the local government had already taken proactive steps. Chandragiri had reclaimed public land previously encroached upon and was preparing to convert it into a community park. The municipality committed to ensuring the park would not only promote urban greenery but also serve as a safe, accessible space for community use during disasters.
Building on this momentum, Transparency International Nepal supported the greening of the reclaimed land through tree-planting activities on World Environment Day, the installation of awareness boards to protect the park, and orientations for the park management committee on principles of accountability, climate resilience, and good governance. These efforts culminated in a transformed public space - an example of how reclaiming land can also reclaim communities' rights to shape sustainable, climate-ready environments.
