NGT takes suo motu cognisance of rising heatwave crisis across India
New Delhi, May 29
The National Green Tribunal has taken suo motu cognisance of a news report highlighting the growing threat posed by intensifying heatwave conditions across large parts of the country and the need for region-specific climate adaptation strategies.
A Bench of Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Expert Member Dr Afroz Ahmad observed that the news item titled "48 Degree Heat 360 Degree Plan" raises substantial environmental issues linked to climate change, rising temperatures, and anthropogenic activities.
According to the report, India continues to face increasingly intense heatwaves, affecting public health, livelihoods, agricultural productivity, water availability, power systems and the broader economy.
The latest bulletin of the India Meteorological Department recorded temperatures touching 48 degrees Celsius in Uttar Pradesh's Banda district, while several parts of north, west, central and peninsular India remained under severe heat stress.
The report highlighted that unlike floods, cyclones or earthquakes, heatwaves often go unnoticed despite affecting vast geographical areas for prolonged periods. It also emphasised the need for separate adaptation strategies for urban and rural areas.
In its order, the NGT recorded that cities tend to trap and retain heat because of dense concrete structures, limited vegetation, anthropogenic heat emissions and high energy consumption patterns, resulting in significantly warmer conditions, particularly during the night. In contrast, rural regions face prolonged heat exposure due to agricultural work, inadequate cooling infrastructure and limited institutional support, leading to severe thermal stress on communities.
Observing that the matter prima facie indicates violation of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, the green tribunal said the report raises substantial issues relating to compliance with environmental norms and implementation of statutory provisions.
Taking cognisance of the matter, the NGT impleaded the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the Department of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Earth Sciences, the Ministry of Jal Shakti, the Central Pollution Control Board, and the state governments of Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh as respondents.
It issued notice to all respondents and directed them to file their replies by way of affidavit at least one week before the next hearing.
"To have a short-term and long-term adaptation strategy to address the increasing temperature due to climatic conditions and anthropogenic activities during summer months, response from the States and their authorities is required," the NGT observed.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on August 19
— IANS
Reader Comments
The article rightly points out the urban-rural divide in heat adaptation. In cities like Delhi, we have ACs but the concrete jungle makes it unbearable at night. In villages, they're working under the sun with no shade or cooling facilities. Why doesn't the government focus on providing affordable cooling solutions for rural areas instead of just issuing notices? Aur kya hoga ab?
This is a wake-up call. The NGT is right—environmental norms are being violated left and right. But what about the forest cover loss and industrial emissions? We can't just blame the sun. We need a comprehensive approach: more green spaces, renewable energy, and shifting from coal to cleaner power. Maharashtra and Gujarat better take this seriously. Let's see what happens on August 19.
Interesting that the article mentions how heatwaves 'go unnoticed'—that's true. In the West, we have heat warning systems, public cooling centres, and media coverage. In India, it's just 'another hot day'. The NGT's notice to 13 states is promising, but adaptation strategies should include early warning systems and ensuring access to water and shade. Kudos to the team taking this up.
I appreciate the NGT's action, but we also need individual responsibility. Plant trees in your locality, use light-coloured roofs, reduce energy consumption. The 48°C in Banda is due to both climate change and local heat island effects. And yes, rural areas suffer more. My grandparents in a village near Kanpur can barely manage with fans and hand pumps. कुछ तो करिए सरकार!
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