Taking serious note of the worsening heatwave conditions across the country, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has initiated suo motu proceedings over the “extreme heatwave crisis” in India and sought detailed climate adaptation strategies from the Centre and several state governments.
The Principal Bench of the NGT in New Delhi took cognisance of the issue based on a media report.
A Bench comprising NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Expert Member Dr Afroz Ahmad observed that rising temperatures were emerging as one of the most severe yet under-recognised environmental disasters in the country.
The Tribunal noted that extreme heat was not only affecting public health but also having a widespread impact on agriculture, water resources, labour productivity, wildlife and the economy.
Referring to recent data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the NGT said temperatures had touched a scorching 48°C in Banda, Uttar Pradesh, while Delhi and several other parts of north and central India continued to reel under severe heatwave conditions.
‘Heatwaves affect urban and rural areas differently’
The Tribunal highlighted the contrasting impact of heatwaves in urban and rural regions.
According to the NGT, cities face intensified heat because of concrete infrastructure, shrinking green cover, vehicular pollution, industrial activity and rising energy consumption. Rural populations, on the other hand, remain vulnerable due to prolonged outdoor exposure, limited access to cooling facilities and inadequate institutional support systems.
The Bench stressed that climate change and human-induced environmental degradation were aggravating the crisis and raising significant concerns under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
NGT calls for scientific climate adaptation measures
Expressing concern over the lack of long-term preparedness, the Tribunal emphasised the urgent need for a comprehensive and region-specific climate adaptation strategy.
Among the key measures suggested by the NGT are:
- Region-specific heat action and climate adaptation plans.
- High-resolution thermal mapping and remote sensing studies.
- Improved short-term and seasonal weather forecasting systems.
- Open-access climate and geospatial data sharing.
- School and community-level weather monitoring programmes.
- Research on heat-related environmental and public health risks
Multiple Ministries and states made respondents
The NGT has impleaded several central ministries, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and multiple state governments including Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh.
All respondents have been directed to submit their replies and action plans through affidavits before the Tribunal.
The matter is now listed for further hearing on August 19.
Why this matters
India has witnessed increasingly intense and prolonged heatwaves in recent years, with scientists repeatedly warning that climate change is making extreme weather events more frequent and dangerous. Experts say heatwaves pose a major threat to public health, especially for outdoor workers, children, elderly citizens and economically weaker communities.
