NHRC Calls for Urgent Heat Wave Mitigation Measures in Urban Areas, Focuses on Human Rights and Climate Resilience

June 4, 2026 : The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has urged governments and urban authorities across India to adopt stronger and more coordinated measures to combat the growing threat of heat waves, describing extreme heat as a significant human rights concern linked to climate change and environmental degradation.

The issue was discussed extensively during a meeting of the NHRC’s Core Group on Environment and Climate held in hybrid mode at Manav Adhikar Bhavan in New Delhi. The meeting focused on the theme “Heat Wave and its Mitigation in Urban Areas” and brought together senior government officials, climate experts, municipal commissioners, civil society representatives, and members of the Commission.

Chairperson of NHRC, Justice V. Ramasubramanian, said that India witnesses recurring debates on pollution during winters and heat waves during summers, yet mitigation efforts have failed to produce visible results in protecting human lives. He noted that environmental rights received serious global attention only after growing awareness of ecological degradation in the 1970s, despite the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948.

Highlighting the role of industrialisation and rapid urbanisation in intensifying climate challenges, Justice Ramasubramanian observed that the destruction of forests and water bodies, combined with the emergence of “concrete jungles,” has significantly contributed to rising temperatures. He stressed that while environmental damage accumulated over decades cannot be reversed entirely, governments must focus on reducing its impact through sustainable urban planning, conservation of natural ecosystems, and stricter regulation of construction activities near water bodies.

NHRC Member Justice (Dr.) Bidyut Ranjan Sarangi emphasised the need to strike a balance between urban development and environmental protection. He called for collective efforts to preserve natural resources, expand green cover, and ensure environmental sustainability for future generations.

Opening the proceedings, NHRC Secretary General Bharat Lal described heat waves as an increasingly serious challenge in urban India, particularly affecting vulnerable groups such as construction workers, outdoor labourers, gig workers, elderly citizens, pregnant women, and people lacking access to adequate housing and cooling facilities. He highlighted the rising number of heat-related deaths in recent years and reiterated that the rights to life, health, and a clean environment are fundamental human rights.

Experts participating in the discussions presented a range of recommendations aimed at improving preparedness and resilience against extreme heat. Climate and environmental specialists advocated broader definitions of heat waves incorporating humidity, vegetation cover, and land-surface temperatures. They also recommended ward-level forecasting systems, artificial intelligence-based vulnerability mapping, dedicated heat officers, and stronger Heat Action Plans at the city and district levels.

Officials from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs highlighted ongoing efforts to improve forecasting, healthcare preparedness, public advisories, and urban planning measures. Municipal authorities from Ahmedabad and Indore shared successful local initiatives, including heat action plans, urban greening programmes, cool roof projects, shaded public spaces, and early warning systems that have helped reduce heat-related risks.

Several experts stressed the importance of protecting vulnerable workers through occupational safety standards, modified work schedules during peak heat hours, social protection measures, and improved awareness regarding heat-related illnesses. Others called for affordable cooling solutions, expanded public green spaces, restoration of wetlands and water bodies, stronger enforcement of environmental laws, and better integration of climate resilience into urban governance.

The meeting concluded with a series of key recommendations, including the preparation of ward-level heat vulnerability maps, institutionalisation of Heat Action Plans across all states and cities, improved surveillance of heat-related illnesses and deaths, creation of community cooling centres, climate-sensitive urban design standards, expansion of urban forests and green corridors, sustainable water management practices, regulation of waste heat emissions, and stronger public awareness campaigns.

The NHRC stated that it will further deliberate on the suggestions received during the meeting before finalising its recommendations for the Centre and state governments. The Commission underscored that effective heat wave mitigation is not only an environmental necessity but also a crucial step towards safeguarding fundamental human rights and protecting vulnerable populations from the escalating impacts of climate change.