Deadline: 5 September 24

As part of Asia's largest CSR and Sustainability Forum, CSRBOX proudly brings you the first initiative of its kind that invites startups and innovators to present scalable solutions for environmental sustainability towards a Better Bharat.

NatureTech for Bharat is an initiative that represents innovations in key areas such as Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) and Natural Resource Management (NRM). By targeting innovative breakthroughs in Climate Education, Ecosystem Restoration and Conservation, Renewable Energy, Sustainable Agriculture, Water Management, Urban Resilience and Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM), they aim to help harness the power of NatureTech for Bharat. innovation and technology, driving collective action towards a sustainable Bharat.

NatureTech's objectives

• The main aim of the competition is to recognise and promote outstanding contributions made by various organisations to the improvement of society and the world. environment . 
• This competition is looking for
  • Promoting Innovation and Technology in Natural Resource Management and Nature-Based Solutions. 
  • Enable the integration of new solutions and technologies into CSR activities. 
  • Filling the gap between the start-up community and the CSR ecosystem.

Problem statement for the thematic areas

• Ecosystem Restoration and Conservation
  • They invite you to share your existing solutions that have proved effective in large-scale reforestation and afforestation, increasing biodiversity, stabilising soil and improving water quality. In addition, they are looking for solutions for restoring wetlands and maintaining and protecting protected areas and reserves that guarantee the conservation of biodiversity hotspots. They are looking for innovative and scalable technologies or methods that can be adapted to various climates and regions, demonstrating tangible results in different environmental contexts.
  • Solutions can include advanced techniques for large-scale reforestation and afforestation, such as drone-based seed dispersal, AI-based planning tools for optimal tree placement and smart irrigation systems to support young trees. For wetland restoration, methods can involve re-establishing natural water flow patterns, managing water levels with advanced monitoring systems and utilising natural filtration systems, bioremediation techniques and constructed wetlands to improve water quality and biodiversity. Technologies for the maintenance and protection of protected areas and reserves could include advanced monitoring systems using drones, remote sensing and GIS to track movements wildlife and the health of the habitat. In addition, habitat restoration techniques such as reforestation, invasive species management and the reintroduction of native species are crucial. Solutions that take advantage of GIS and remote sensing to plan and monitor ecosystem health are also valuable.
• Renewable energy solutions and transforming waste into energy
  • They invite you to provide your existing renewable energy systems, including solar, wind and biomass, as well as waste-to-energy technologies that have successfully reduced carbon emissions and improved energy sustainability. They are looking for scalable solutions that can be applied in various environments, minimising landfill use and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Solutions can include advanced solar energy systems for residential, commercial and industrial applications, including rooftop solar panels, solar farms and solar water heaters. Wind energy solutions, such as small-scale wind turbines for rural areas and large-scale wind farms for grid power supply, are also interesting. In addition, they welcome biomass energy systems that convert organic waste into renewable energy through processes such as anaerobic digestion and gasification. Waste-to-energy technologies, including incineration with energy recovery systems and pyrolysis, are crucial for turning waste into useful energy while minimising emissions. Hybrid renewable energy systems that combine multiple sources, such as solar and wind, to provide reliable and continuous energy are also encouraged. Community renewable energy and waste-to-energy projects that involve local stakeholders in planning, installation and maintenance, as well as educational programmes to promote these technologies, are highly encouraged. Solutions that utilise smart grid technology to integrate renewable energy into existing power grids and improve energy management are valuable.
• Sustainable Agriculture
  • They invite you to share your existing solutions that have proven effective in improving soil health, increasing crop resilience, promoting sustainable farming practices and integrating tree planting with crop cultivation to increase biodiversity. They are looking for innovations that can be scaled or adapted to different agricultural contexts and adopted by farmers in different regions.
  • Below are some suggestive areas, but submissions are not restricted to these: Solutions can include advanced soil health improvement techniques such as cover crops, organic amendments and biochar to improve soil fertility and structure. Innovations in crop resilience, including drought-tolerant and pest-resistant varieties, integrated pest management (IPM) systems and precision farming technologies that optimise the use of resources, are of interest. They also welcome sustainable agricultural practices that incorporate agroecological principles, such as crop rotation, polycultures and integrated agroforestry systems that combine various tree species with crops and livestock to increase soil fertility, control erosion and increase productivity. In addition, solutions that utilise GIS and remote sensing for optimal arrangement of trees and crops and real-time monitoring of soil and plant health are valuable. Practices involving fruit and nut trees in agroforestry systems to diversify farmers' income, cover crops, mulching and composting to maintain soil moisture and reduce the use of chemicals are crucial. Technologies that support the efficient use of water, such as drip irrigation, soil moisture sensors and rainwater harvesting systems, along with digital platforms that provide real-time data and recommendations, are also highly encouraged.
• Water Management - Water Conservation Techniques
  • They invite you to present your existing technologies or methods that efficiently conserve water, purify water sources, implement sustainable irrigation or protect river basins. They are looking for solutions that have proven successful in various contexts and that can effectively address the challenges of water management.
  • Below are some suggestive areas, but submissions are not restricted to these: Solutions could include advanced rainwater harvesting systems, IoT-based water level monitoring, automated groundwater recharge systems and community-led rainwater harvesting methods. Sustainable irrigation techniques such as precision drip irrigation, automated sprinkler systems, smart irrigation controllers using AI and soil moisture sensors for real-time irrigation adjustments are also of interest. In addition, they welcome advanced water purification and filtration systems, including solar-powered water purifiers, microbial or biological filtration methods and portable water purification units for rural or disaster-stricken areas. For watershed protection and management, GIS-based watershed mapping, remote sensing for health monitoring, community-led conservation programmes and technologies to prevent soil erosion and sedimentation are key areas. In addition, they are looking for solutions to rejuvenate water bodies, such as automated waste disposal systems, robotic weed removal solutions, de-silting technologies and community engagement platforms to maintain water quality and biodiversity in lakes, ponds and rivers.
• Urban Resilience
  • They invite you to highlight your existing urban planning solutions that integrate green spaces, reduce urban heat islands, increase biodiversity and improve air quality. They are looking for solutions that have successfully transformed urban areas and can serve as models for other cities.
  • Below are some suggestive areas, but entries are not restricted to these: Solutions can include green roofs that provide insulation, reduce energy consumption and create habitats for urban wildlife. Urban parks and green corridors can enhance community spaces, improve air quality and support biodiversity. Innovative rainwater management systems, such as permeable paving, rain gardens and bio-ditches, can reduce run-off and improve water quality. Reflective and cool roofing materials, along with urban greening initiatives such as tree planting and green walls, can reduce heat absorption and improve air quality. Water resources such as fountains and lakes can reduce temperatures through evaporative cooling. Technologies that use GIS and remote sensing to identify heat island hotspots and monitor cooling interventions are also valuable. Integrating these elements increases urban resilience and quality of life.
• Green Supply Chain Management
  • They invite you to share your existing solutions that have proved effective in making supply chains more environmentally sustainable. They are looking for innovative and scalable technologies or methods that can reduce carbon emissions, minimise waste, improve resource efficiency and promote the use of renewable energy in supply chain operations. Solutions must demonstrate tangible results in various contexts and be adaptable to different industries and regions.
  • Solutions can include advanced logistics optimisation techniques that reduce fuel consumption and emissions, such as route optimisation software and green transport options. Methods to minimise waste through better packaging solutions, recycling programmes and circular economy practices are also of interest. Technologies that improve resource efficiency, such as IoT-based inventory management systems, smart storage solutions and energy-efficient manufacturing processes, are valuable. In addition, they are looking for solutions that integrate renewable energy sources into supply chain operations, such as solar-powered logistics centres and electric vehicle fleets. Solutions that use data analytics and AI for real-time monitoring and optimisation of supply chain sustainability metrics are highly encouraged.

What does this mean for startups/organisations?

• Direct access to CSR and ESG Summit 2024 India
• Featured presentation at the India CSR and ESG Summit 2024
• Discussions on equity financing
• Media social and promotional support
• Exhibition and display space at the India CSR and ESG Summit 2024
• Business opportunities with CSRBOX
• Recognition and Certification

Eligibility criteria

• All types of organisations/start-ups, both for-profit and non-profit, can apply.
• Startups that are in the early stages of development are not eligible.
• They are looking for solutions that integrate technology with nature-based solutions.
• There are no geographical restrictions; solutions from all regions of India are welcome.
• They are only accepting applications from start-ups and organisations that have scalable solutions ready for implementation beyond the prototype stage.

For more information, visit CSRBOX .