New Delhi, April 17 (NationPress) The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has partnered with the Udhmodya Foundation, the startup incubator of Delhi University, to unveil the "Harit Manthan 2026" hackathon, which is focused on creating innovative solutions for urban biodiversity and managing green spaces.

The event spans two days, taking place this Friday and Saturday in the heart of the national capital.

Upon the conclusion of the event on Saturday, chosen teams will be granted seed funding of up to ₹10 lakh, contingent on evaluation, along with a comprehensive 12-month incubation program provided by the Udhmodya Foundation.

With the DDA overseeing more than 16,000 acres of parks and biodiversity zones, a significant challenge highlighted is the absence of affordable and scalable technological solutions that can be effectively implemented at the government level.

"Delhi's green spaces represent some of our most essential public assets. Harit Manthan is a call to the brightest student innovators in India to assist us in safeguarding and enhancing this ecological legacy with practical, scalable solutions," stated the DDA.

The hackathon will consist of two parallel tracks: a Technology Challenge aimed at digital and data-driven innovations for monitoring and managing green spaces, and a Policy Challenge focused on fortifying governance and planning frameworks for urban ecology.

This event is exclusively open to students from accredited universities and higher education institutions across India, inviting teams comprising two to five members and promoting interdisciplinary collaboration across areas such as technology, design, environmental sciences, and public policy.

Participants will address six key problem areas, including assessing the ecological performance of green spaces, boosting public engagement, enhancing water management, creating sustainable financing models, fostering community involvement, and utilizing green infrastructure to combat pollution.

More than just ideation, Harit Manthan 2026 aims to provide a clear pathway for execution.

The DDA has stated, "This support will encompass mentorship, access to workspace, and guidance on scaling solutions, securing funding, and establishing market connections."

Crucially, participants will also have the opportunity to access real-world pilot projects within DDA-managed parks and green spaces, allowing them to test and refine their ideas in live settings.

The hackathon will unfold over two days, with the first day dedicated to mentorship and pitch enhancement at Maya Art Gallery, Indraprastha Park, followed by final presentations at Atal Akshaya Urja Bhawan on the second day.