The workshop on “Regenerating Natural Capital” revealed an urgent need to tackle the degradation of land, water, and forest resources in Madhya Pradesh. Experts agreed that the situation is critical, with soil erosion, water scarcity, and shrinking forests threatening livelihoods and biodiversity. The proposed solution? A collaborative approach called Panchmukhi Samvaay, which brings together government, corporate sectors, civil society, financial markets, and knowledge institutions to restore natural resources effectively and sustainably.
The workshop, organized by RGICS and CoR in partnership with WALMI, focused on practical solutions for Madhya Pradesh’s environmental crisis. The state’s rich ecosystems are deteriorating fast due to land degradation, over-extraction of groundwater, and deforestation. Agricultural lands are losing fertility, rivers like the Narmada are drying up, and forests are thinning out.
Participants emphasized that effective land regeneration would require promoting organic farming, digitizing land records, and rethinking outdated land-use policies. To save water resources, they called for compulsory rainwater harvesting, smarter irrigation practices, and stronger community involvement in water management. Forest regeneration, they agreed, must go beyond just planting trees. It should include improving community participation, updating policies, and using technology to enhance forest management.
The Panchmukhi Samvaay framework stood out as a fresh approach to tackling these intertwined issues. By encouraging cooperation among all stakeholders, it aims to create an ecosystem where people, businesses, and nature thrive together. A committee of 13 professionals was formed to take this vision forward.
The report ends with a hopeful note: While the challenges are significant, real change is possible through coordinated efforts, better policies, modern technologies, and the active participation of local communities.
Keywords: Regeneration, Natural Capital, Madhya Pradesh, Panchmukhi Samvaay, Sustainability, Water Resources, Forest Resources, Land Degradation, Policy Recommendations, Community Involvement
Regenerating Natural Capital: A Workshop on Jal, Jangal and Jameen
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