The Government has undertaken several measures to address the impacts of extreme summer heatwaves and rising temperatures. The National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP) enlists 17 major hazards, including Heat Waves. It prescribes a comprehensive responsibility matrix delineating the roles and responsibilities of Central Ministries/Departments, State Governments through the State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs), District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs), local authorities and other stakeholders for prevention, preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) issued the Guidelines on Preparation of Action Plan for Prevention and Management of Heat Wave in 2016, which were revised in 2019. The Guidelines facilitate heat wave-prone States/Union Territories (UTs) in preparing State, District and City Heat Action Plans (HAPs) for effective management of heat wave conditions. The Guidelines provide for vulnerability assessments to identify vulnerable populations, including the elderly, children, outdoor workers, the urban poor and others at-risk groups, and prescribe appropriate mitigation and preparedness measures. Recognising the growing impact of urbanisation on heat stress, the Guidelines also provide for assessment of the built environment to identify factors contributing to the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect and recommend integration of long-term heat mitigation measures into urban planning and development, including enhancement of green cover, promotion of cool roofs and cool pavements, preservation of water bodies, improved ventilation corridors, and adoption of climate-responsive building and land-use practices.

The NDMP and the Guidelines specify the roles and responsibilities of various Central Ministries, State Governments and local authorities for addressing the challenges faced by outdoor workers and people residing in informal urban settlements. Accordingly, all heat wave-prone States, including Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, have prepared and are implementing their respective State Heat Action Plans. Further, under Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) and AMRUT 2.0, parks, green spaces and urban water bodies are developed to enhance urban climate resilience, including in Bihar and Madhya Pradesh. Under the AMRUT Mitra initiative, Women Self Help Groups undertake tree plantation and maintenance of parks and green spaces. In addition, under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SSASCI) Scheme, urban greening initiatives are supported, including development of urban greens in Bihar.

The Government is also implementing Nagar Van Yojana (NVY) which envisages developing 600 Nagar Vans and 400 Nagar Vatikas in the country during the period of 2020-21 to 2026-27. The objective is to significantly enhance the tree outside forests and green cover, enhancement of biodiversity and ecological benefits to the urban and peri-urban areas apart from improving quality of life of city dwellers. The Central grants from funds under National Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) are provided under the scheme to cover mainly the cost of fencing, soil-moisture conservation measures & related activities, administrative activities, plantation and maintenance. Under the India Cooling Action Plan (ICAP), the Government promotes passive cooling in buildings through adoption of the Energy Conservation and Sustainable Building Code (ECSBC) for commercial and office buildings and residential buildings. The code emphasizes energy-efficient building envelopes and cross-ventilation strategies to reduce cooling demand and improve the overall energy performance of new buildings.

The Government also promotes community participation in tree plantation and enhancement of green cover through various initiatives, including 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' to encourage citizens to plant trees as a tribute to their mothers and to promote mass participation in tree plantation activities. Besides, tree plantation is also carried out by other Ministries, NGOs, Private sector etc.

This information was provided by MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE, SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH, in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

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VM/GS

(Lok Sabha US Q1183)

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