Getalsud Lake, a critical freshwater reservoir in Ranchi, Jharkhand, plays a central role in ensuring water security for the region’s urban and peri-urban communities. It supplies drinking and industrial water, supports fisheries and livelihoods, and serves as a seasonal wetland for migratory bird species. However, increasing climate variability—manifested in erratic monsoons, recurrent droughts, and intense rainfall events—has placed the lake under severe hydrological stress. Simultaneously, siltation, pollution from untreated sewage, encroachment, and biodiversity degradation has compounded the crisis, undermining the reservoir’s ecological and socio-economic functions. This proposed study aims to investigate how nature-based solutions (NbS), integrated watershed management, and community-based adaptation can enhance the resilience of Getalsud Lake in a changing climate. The study will apply a mixed-methods approach, combining hydrological data analysis, spatial assessments, stakeholder interviews, and comparative insights from similar lake systems in India such as Bhopal’s Bhojtal, Hyderabad’s Hussain Sagar, and Kerala’s Vembanad Lake. Emphasis will be placed on hybrid strategies—floating wetlands, riparian forestation, decentralized wastewater treatment, and citizen-led monitoring—that restore ecosystem functions while addressing water quality, sedimentation, and seasonal storage loss. The study will also examine institutional frameworks and participatory governance models necessary to sustain long-term resilience. By highlighting both the physical vulnerabilities and the social-ecological opportunities around Getalsud, the study aims to demonstrate the replicability of integrated, inclusive water management in delta-influenced inland reservoirs. This contribution aligns with India’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on water, climate action, biodiversity, and equity. It will provide an evidence-basedroadmap for embedding NbS into urban water planning, strengthening resilience for both ecosystems and communities dependent on climate-sensitive reservoirs.