The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and the Udhmodya Foundation from Delhi University have jointly initiated the “Harit Manthan 2026” hackathon to address urban biodiversity and green space management challenges. The event spans two days in the national capital, offering selected teams the chance to secure seed funding of up to Rs 10 lakh and a 12-month incubation program under the Udhmodya Foundation upon evaluation.
With a focus on developing cost-effective and scalable technological solutions for government-level implementation, the DDA, responsible for managing over 16,000 acres of parks and biodiversity zones, emphasizes the need for innovative approaches. The hackathon comprises two tracks: a Technology Challenge concentrating on digital innovations for green space monitoring and a Policy Challenge to enhance urban ecology governance frameworks.
Open to students from recognized Indian universities, the hackathon encourages interdisciplinary teams of two to five members across various fields like technology, design, environmental sciences, and public policy. Participants will tackle six core problem areas, including ecological performance measurement, public engagement enhancement, water management improvement, sustainable financing models development, community participation promotion, and pollution mitigation through green infrastructure.
Beyond idea generation, “Harit Manthan 2026” aims to provide practical implementation pathways, including mentorship, workspace access, scaling assistance, fundraising support, and market connections. Additionally, participants will have the opportunity to pilot their solutions in real-world settings within DDA’s parks and green spaces to refine their concepts effectively.
The hackathon’s schedule involves a day dedicated to mentorship and pitch refinement at Maya Art Gallery, Indraprastha Park, followed by final presentations at Atal Akshaya Urja Bhawan on the subsequent day.
