2nd February, 2026: Participation in the Nature Walk to Harike Wetland to strengthen understanding of regional water landscapes in Punjab
On World Wetlands Day, Vaibhav Ahuja, Eco City-regions lead in Jalandhar, joined a Nature Walk from Jalandhar to Harike Pattan (a Ramsar Site and the largest wetland in North India) organized by NGO Pahal. The visit was undertaken as a learning exercise to broaden understanding of the water landscapes in and around Jalandhar. In addition, it was an opportunity to learn about building interest and public engagement for ecological awareness. Insights will help inform potential Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) approaches for the Nurpur Pond Rejuvenation initiative in the future. WRI India has previously collaborated with NGO Pahal on biodiversity mapping efforts at Nurpur Pond.
6th February, 2026: Capacity Building Workshop on Urban Services for Aspirational Small Cities in Uttar Pradesh
Moments captured from the “Handbook Capacity Building Workshop on ‘Urban Services for Small Cities in Uttar Pradesh’”
Govt of Uttar Pradesh and WRI India organised a joint capacity building workshop in Lucknow to introduce the Handbook on Urban Services for Small Cities in Uttar Pradesh to municipal officials, practitioners, fellows, and state representatives working across the state’s Aspirational Cities programme. The workshop focused on practical approaches to planning and delivering right-sized, resilient urban services for small and rapidly transitioning cities. In addition, it became a way to share the stories, unique character and on-ground needs from across the Aspirational Cities- from questions on how to save recharge wells, stories on local melas that embody the Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb (syncretic culture practised historically in the Ganges-Yamuna plains) to a single city-region with over 65 ponds needing interlinking for improved drainage.
The event brought together Chief Minister Fellows, Executive Officers, and stakeholders from 100 Aspirational Cities across Uttar Pradesh, along with planners, knowledge partners, and government officials. It was held in the presence of Anuj Kumar Jha, Secretary, Urban Development Department, Government of Uttar Pradesh; Director, Local Bodies, Uttar Pradesh; and State Mission Director, Clean India Mission (Urban); Ritu Suhas, Additional Director, Directorate of Urban Local Bodies, GoUP and senior practitioners such as Dr. Awadesh Kumar Gupta, Principal Urban Advisor Regional Centre for Urban and Environmental Studies (RCUES) Lucknow, and Director of UP Urban Transport.
Through practitioner-led open floor discussions and peer learning, participants reflected on small-city growth trends, service delivery gaps, and context-responsive approaches to strengthening core urban services while preserving the unique identity of these towns.
12th February, 2026: Update on Kala Sanghian Drainfront Development and Nurpur Pond Rejuvenation
Bund constructed at the Nurpur Pond site to retain water in the central area, helping maintain water availability during the upcoming high-evaporation months and protect the aquatic ecosystem.
Aquatic fauna, including turtles and snails, were observed at the Nurpur Pond site.
Soil samples being collected at the Nurpur Pond site to support baseline assessment of the site.
At Nurpur in Jalandhar city, field implementation commenced on 12 February 2026 as part of the pond rejuvenation efforts. Initial activities included civil works around dewatering the pond into the Kala Sanghian drain, blocking the inlet and outlet points to retain water inside the pond, and creating a bund to retain water in the centre of the pond to support biodiversity. The bund will help maintain water availability during the upcoming high-evaporation months, providing protection to aquatic fauna even as the overall pond and the site undergo significant physical change.
February marked an important milestone in the project implementation process, as WRI India—working closely with NbS experts—was able to document the baseline conditions of the site prior to the commencement of on-ground interventions. As part of the baseline assessments, several surveys and quality checks were undertaken. Biological mapping proved particularly insightful, with aquatic fauna such as fish and turtles observed at the site, highlighting the ecological significance of the water body which may not become apparent at first. Sample collection for water and soil quality assessments was completed to support baseline monitoring and evaluation, enabling future measurement of the ecological impact of the pond restoration and associated landscape improvements.
In parallel, recent engagements with the Punjab Municipal Infrastructure Development Company (PMIDC) have helped revive momentum on the Kala Sanghian project. A revised presentation and updated project report were submitted following a high-level introductory meeting with state officials, supporting the next phase of project discussions and planning.
16th-17th February, 2026 : Field Visit and Multi-Stakeholder Consultations in Bodoland to Inform Regional Development and Livelihood Opportunities
The Eco City-regions teams consulting with Urban development, Agriculture and Forest Department of Bodoland Territorial Council
Members of the Eco-City Regions team undertook a field visit to the Bodoland Territorial Region to engage with government departments, civil society organisations, and local stakeholders as part of ongoing work in the region. The visit focused on understanding local development priorities, economic opportunities, and ecological considerations that shape Bodoland’s regional growth.
Consultations were held with departments including urban development, fisheries, agriculture, sericulture, and forestry, alongside local organisations and community actors. Discussions highlighted opportunities across sectors such as eco-tourism, sericulture, fisheries, and agriculture, while also underscoring the importance of strengthening local value chains, building skills, and improving infrastructure and market linkages.
The engagements also provided insights into landscape restoration, conservation of wetlands and forests, and the potential for community-led approaches to sustainable resource management. These interactions helped validate ongoing spatial and regional analyses, including land suitability assessments and regional spatial strategies, while informing the identification of priority locations for future development and livelihood initiatives.
The field visit also served as a platform to connect with local civil society organisations and practitioners—including SELCO Foundation, Social Alpha, Bharat Rural Livelihoods Foundation (BRLF), Transform Rural India (TRI), Seven Sisters Development Assistance (SesTA), and Gram Vikas Manch—helping strengthen the ecosystem of partners working toward sustainable and inclusive development in Bodoland.
17th-19th February, 2026: MoU Signed with MMRDA to Advance Resilient and Inclusive Planning in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region
WRI India signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) during Mumbai Climate Week to establish a strategic knowledge partnership focused on advancing resilient, sustainable, and inclusive planning across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
The MoU exchange was led by the Urban Development team, with Avirat Inamdar from the Eco-City Regions team supporting the engagement. The exchange took place in the presence of senior leaders including the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, the Union Minister for Renewable Energy, the Environment Minister of Maharashtra, the Mayor of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the Secretary of the Environment Department (Government of Maharashtra), and the Commissioner of MMRDA.
Through this partnership, WRI India will work with MMRDA to strengthen data-driven planning approaches and support long-term strategies for climate-resilient and sustainable regional development in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
19-21st February, 2026: Eco-City Regions Team Participates in Workshop and Field Immersion on Bioregionalism in India through the lens of Ecosystem Stewardship in the Sundarbans
25th February, 2026: Rejeet Mathews Participates in Tamil Nadu 2030 Conclave on State Development Vision
Snippet from the Tamil Nadu 2030 Conclave on State Development Vision
Rejeet Mathews from the Eco-City Regions team attended the Tamil Nadu 2030 Conclave organized by the Tamil Nadu State Planning Commission. The conclave served as a strategic dialogue platform bringing together policymakers, economists, sector experts, civil society, industry representatives, and academic institutions to deliberate on Tamil Nadu’s long-term development vision toward 2030.
The discussions covered a wide range of priority sectors including urban infrastructure and housing, education and skills, health and nutrition, social welfare, industries and employment, rural development, agriculture, and major infrastructure development. Through structured thematic sessions, the conclave examined emerging opportunities and challenges related to climate transition, technological change, demographic shifts, and rapid urbanization.
The engagement provided an opportunity to contribute to and learn from ongoing policy dialogue around integrated, evidence-based development pathways for Tamil Nadu, aligning with WRI India’s ongoing collaboration with the State Planning Commission on climate-resilient and data-driven regional planning.
25th February, 2026: A photo essay on Eri silk weaving practices in Bodoland published to spotlight the story of women weavers of Bodoland
The Eco-City Regions team published a photo essay titled Warp and Weft: A Photo Essay on Eri Silk Weaving Practices of Bodoland, authored by Neha Lal, Divya Chand, and Deepshikha Chaudhuri. The essay explores the cultural, ecological, and livelihood dimensions of Eri silk weaving in the Bodoland region.
Through photographs and narratives from field visits and interviews with silk rearers, weavers, designers, entrepreneurs, and government stakeholders, the piece documents the intricate process of rearing silkworms, hand-spinning yarn, and weaving cloth using traditional looms. It highlights how Eri silk—known for its distinctive reddish cocoon and ahimsa (non-violent) production practice—remains closely tied to Bodo cultural traditions and women-led livelihoods.
The essay also reflects on emerging challenges facing this indigenous craft, including climate variability, shifting consumer preferences, limited infrastructure and market linkages, and the difficulty of transferring traditional knowledge to younger generations. By tracing the lifecycle of Eri silk and the communities that sustain it, the piece underscores the need for institutional support and strengthened value chains to ensure the resilience of this craft tradition.
Read the full blog here: https://wri-india.org/perspectives/warp-and-weft-photo-essay-eri-silk-weaving-practices-bodoland
26th-27th February, 2026: Eco-City Regions Team Participates in U-CAN Steering Committee Meeting and Field Visit in Lucknow
The U-CAN Steering Committee convened in Lucknow on 26–27 February for two days of dialogue, reflection, and field immersion with partners from across the urban ecosystem. Neha Lal who represents WRI India at UCAN participated in the meeting, which focused on strengthening collaboration and reflecting on how collectives can work more effectively in practice.
Discussions created space for members to openly reflect on areas of alignment and challenge within the collective, particularly around programmes, ways of working, and the role of organisational focal points in enabling collaboration. Participants also explored opportunities for joint initiatives through the next phase of the Request for Collaboration, signalling strong interest among members to deepen partnerships.
The meeting also included a field visit to Banthra, organised with the Shelter Associates, where participants interacted with residents and the local Nagar Panchayat. The visit helped ground the discussions in the lived realities of urban transition, reinforcing the importance of linking collaborative efforts with community needs and local governance.
The convening provided an important opportunity for in-person engagement, helping build trust among partners while reflecting on the collective’s future direction and opportunities for more intentional collaboration.
28th February,2026: Formalisation of Partnership with Tamil Nadu State Planning Commission on Rural–Urban Transition and Climate-Resilient Planning
From left to right: Dr. Amalorparvanathan and Dr. Narthaki Nataraj (Members, Tamil Nadu State Planning Commission); Ms. Sudha S. (Member Secretary, State Planning Commission); Dr. Ezhilan Naganathan (Member, State Planning Commission and MLA); Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Udhayanidhi Stalin; Mr. Nambi; Hon’ble Member of Parliament Mr. Dayanidhi Maran; Mr. Bharath; and Mr. Sajjansingh R. Chavan, IAS (Secretary, Planning, Development and Special Initiatives), during the MoU exchange between WRI India and the Tamil Nadu State Land Use Research Board (TNSLURB).
WRI India has entered a new collaboration with the Tamil Nadu State Planning Commission to advance climate-resilient and data-driven planning across rural and peri-urban areas in the state. On 28 February 2026, during the inauguration of the Tamil Nadu Planning Atlas for Growth and Development (TNPAGE), WRI India signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Tamil Nadu State Land Use Research Board (TNSLURB).
Through this partnership, WRI India will provide technical support for the development of a Rural–Urban Transition Policy, undertake climate risk and resilience assessments, and conduct heat-threshold studies across Tamil Nadu’s diverse geo-climatic zones. The engagement will also contribute to strengthening institutional capacity, improving inter-departmental coordination, and advancing evidence-based planning for balanced regional development.
The collaboration will further support initiatives related to building efficiency, cooling, and energy transition, while integrating spatial datasets and analytical outputs into TiNAI, Tamil Nadu’s Land Use Information System, to enhance planning and decision-making processes.
The MoU exchange took place in the presence of the Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and senior representatives from the State Planning Commission, the Government of Tamil Nadu, and WRI India.
28th February, 2026: New Edition of Stories That Matter Published
WRI India released the latest edition of its institutional newsletter, Stories That Matter, which curates climate stories, tools, explainers, research, and key developments from across the organisation.
The newest edition explores themes around mobility, climate action, and inclusive development. Featured stories include reflections on freedom of movement in cities, insights from WRI India’s participation in Mumbai Climate Week, gendered patterns in urban travel, innovations such as driver passports, and the impact of solar streetlights in Jharkhand’s Giridih district. The edition also highlights emerging work on air pollution in smaller cities and land restoration opportunities in Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli region.
The newsletter aims to bring together diverse perspectives and insights from WRI India’s programmes, offering readers a snapshot of ideas and initiatives shaping climate and development conversations across the country.
Read and subscribe here: Moving Freely Through the City
For more information regarding the solid waste management (SWM) with Municipal Corporation Jalandhar, click here: 
