Hybrid Blue-Green Infrastructure: Feasibility Study for the State of Maharashtra; India

In India, the 2019 monsoon season arrived very late and heavy, following a severe heatwave. This year's monsoons have brought the highest amount of rain in 25 years and with unprecedented spatial variability. In some districts of Maharashtra, higher-than-average rainfall caused massive flooding, which resulted in the submergence of 2 lakh hectares. Whereas remaining states saw the continued drought conditions from monsoon 2018. This unusual monsoon behaviour is considered an example of the impact of climate change and is expected to intensify and worsen over time. The combination of drought followed by heavy rainfall increases the risk of massive flooding, influence on natural and man-made systems, including infrastructure and agricultural production in flooded and dry regions. Blue-Green Infrastructure (BGI) is an interconnected network of natural and anthropogenic components, including water bodies and green and open spaces, like bio-retention cells, rain barrels, infiltration trenches, and vegetation swales. BGI has been already deployed at small scales in urban areas worldwide like in Australia and many projects are underway on larger scales in regional areas. The present study focuses on the feasibility of BGI techniques for a village Hivre Bazar, in Maharashtra. The survey of Hivre Bazar reveals that Hybrid BGI is already being practised. Hybrid BGI is a techno-social solution suitable to the culture and ancient practices in Maharashtra. If integrated Hybrid BGI is scientifically planned and implemented, it will lead to more effective solutions.