Exploring the potential of urban nature-based solutions to address infectious disease: a case study in Bharatpur, Nepal

This case study by the Stockholm Environment Institute examines the drivers of infectious diseases in Bharatpur, Nepal, and evaluates how nature-based solutions (NBS) can mitigate these hazards alongside basic urban infrastructure.

• A project survey in Bharatpur, Nepal, revealed that 18.4% of households were affected by dengue fever in the previous five years, while skin infections affected 11.5% of households. The incidence of both diseases was associated with proximity to garbage disposal sites, and skin infections are hypothesized to be driven by a lack of clean water and adequate sanitation.
• Nature-based solutions (NBS) can reduce infectious disease hazards by reducing urban temperatures, mitigating flooding, and filtering water. In Bharatpur, local workshop participants showed specific interest in rainwater harvesting and green streets.
• To improve public health, the study recommends prioritizing the improvement of piped water supply to peri-urban areas to reduce skin infections and health inequities, as well as strengthening solid waste management through city-wide municipal collection and increased frequency to reduce dengue. The study concludes that NBS are not a substitute for basic urban services and infrastructure.

APA

Pottinger-Glass, C., Ghimire, U., Saluja, R., Tran, M., Green, J., & Barquet, K. (2025). Exploring the potential of urban nature-based solutions to address infectious disease: a case study in Bharatpur, Nepal. Stockholm Environment Institute. https://www.sei.org/publications/urban-nature-based-solutions-infectious-disease-bharatpur-nepal/

Chicago

Pottinger-Glass, Chloe, Uttam Ghimire, Ridhi Saluja, Minh Tran, Jonathan Green, and Karina Barquet. Exploring the potential of urban nature-based solutions to address infectious disease: a case study in Bharatpur, Nepal. Stockholm Environment Institute, 2025. https://www.sei.org/publications/urban-nature-based-solutions-infectious-disease-bharatpur-nepal/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Pottinger-Glass |first1=Chloe |last2=Ghimire |first2=Uttam |last3=Saluja |first3=Ridhi |last4=Tran |first4=Minh |last5=Green |first5=Jonathan |last6=Barquet |first6=Karina |title=Exploring the potential of urban nature-based solutions to address infectious disease: a case study in Bharatpur, Nepal |publisher=Stockholm Environment Institute |date=25 February 2025 |url=https://www.sei.org/publications/urban-nature-based-solutions-infectious-disease-bharatpur-nepal/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{pottingerglass2025exploring, author = {Pottinger-Glass, Chloe and Ghimire, Uttam and Saluja, Ridhi and Tran, Minh and Green, Jonathan and Barquet, Karina}, title = {{Exploring the potential of urban nature-based solutions to address infectious disease: a case study in Bharatpur, Nepal}}, institution = {Stockholm Environment Institute}, year = {2025}, month = feb, url = {https://www.sei.org/publications/urban-nature-based-solutions-infectious-disease-bharatpur-nepal/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }