Bengaluru launches India’s first ward-level climate action plan

Greater Bengaluru Authority begins micro-level climate planning with tailor-made solutions for individual wards, starting with Shanthinagar.

In a first-of-its-kind initiative in India, the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) has begun work on a ward-level climate action plan, marking a major shift towards micro-level climate planning in urban governance. Unlike conventional climate strategies designed for entire cities or states, this initiative focuses exclusively on individual wards and their specific climate challenges.

Under the pilot phase, GBA will select two wards from each of Bengaluru’s five city corporations. The programme has already commenced with Shanthinagar ward, which falls under the Bengaluru Central City Corporation. The plan aims to study and address ward-specific issues such as urban flooding, air pollution, water scarcity, and groundwater depletion through scientific and customised solutions.

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Explaining the concept, Ramachandran R, Special Commissioner for Forest, Environment, Climate Change and Mobility (FECCM), Disaster Management, Public Relations and Coordination, said this is the first micro-level climate planning exercise undertaken in the country. He noted that each ward faces unique environmental problems based on geography and urban development patterns, making a single city-wide plan ineffective.

As part of the process, detailed studies will be conducted on each selected ward’s topography, green cover, level of concretisation, and rainfall trends. This data will be analysed in coordination with the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC) and experts from various disciplines. Using this information, flood models and other climate-related simulations will be developed.

For flood-prone wards, the plan may include measures such as rainwater harvesting pits, improved stormwater drain systems, and other preventive infrastructure. Similarly, wards facing water stress or air pollution will receive targeted solutions designed specifically for their conditions.

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Citizen participation is also a key component of the initiative. Inputs and concerns from ward residents will be gathered through consultations to ensure local issues are accurately reflected in the action plans.

According to Ramachandran, the ward-level climate action plans for the pilot wards are expected to be completed by January or February next year. Based on the outcomes and public response, the GBA plans to extend the micro-planning exercise to more wards across the city, which currently has a total of 369 wards.