New Delhi, May 29: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has initiated suo motu proceedings over intensifying heatwave conditions across India, raising concerns over rising temperatures, climate-linked environmental stress and the absence of region-specific adaptation strategies to address the growing crisis.
Taking cognisance of a news report titled “48 Degree Heat 360 Degree Plan”, a Bench comprising NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Expert Member Dr Afroz Ahmad observed that the issue raises substantial environmental concerns connected to climate change, anthropogenic activities and increasing heat stress affecting large parts of the country.
The tribunal noted that heatwaves are emerging as a major environmental and public health challenge with wide-ranging impacts on human health, agriculture, livelihoods, water resources, electricity systems and the national economy.
According to the India Meteorological Department’s latest bulletin referred to in the proceedings, temperatures reached as high as 48 degrees Celsius in Banda district of Uttar Pradesh, while several regions across north, west, central and peninsular India continued to remain under severe heatwave conditions.
The NGT observed that unlike natural disasters such as floods, cyclones and earthquakes, heatwaves often receive less immediate attention despite affecting extensive geographical regions over prolonged durations.
The tribunal further recorded that urban and rural regions experience heat stress differently, requiring separate climate adaptation and mitigation strategies. It stated that cities tend to trap heat because of dense concrete infrastructure, reduced vegetation cover, anthropogenic heat emissions and high energy consumption, particularly worsening night-time temperatures.
In rural areas, the tribunal observed that prolonged outdoor exposure during agricultural activities, lack of cooling infrastructure and limited institutional support increase the vulnerability of communities to extreme heat conditions.
The NGT said the issue prima facie indicates potential violations of provisions under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and involves substantial questions relating to environmental governance and implementation of statutory safeguards.
Following the proceedings, the tribunal impleaded the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Central Pollution Control Board and multiple state governments as respondents in the matter.
The states directed to respond include Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh.
The NGT issued notices to all respondents and directed them to submit replies through affidavits 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 tribunal observed in its order.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on August 19.
