New Delhi, July 27: The Union Government is promoting community-led tree plantation and urban greening initiatives across the country as part of a broader strategy to address rising temperatures and extreme heatwaves, the Lok Sabha was informed on Monday.
In a written reply to a question in the House, Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Kirti Vardhan Singh said the government has adopted a multi-pronged approach that combines disaster preparedness, urban climate resilience, afforestation and public participation.
He said the National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP) identifies heatwaves among the country’s 17 major hazards and lays down responsibilities for central ministries, state governments, district administrations and local bodies in prevention, preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery.
The minister noted that the National Disaster Management Authority issued Heat Wave Management Guidelines in 2016, revised in 2019, to help states and Union Territories prepare Heat Action Plans at the state, district and city levels. These plans include vulnerability assessments for groups most at risk, such as the elderly, children, outdoor workers and residents of informal settlements.
According to the government, the guidelines also encourage long-term urban heat mitigation measures, including increasing green cover, promoting cool roofs and pavements, conserving water bodies, improving ventilation corridors and adopting climate-responsive building practices.
The reply stated that all heatwave-prone states, including Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, have prepared and are implementing Heat Action Plans. Urban climate resilience measures are also being supported under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) and AMRUT 2.0 programmes through the development of parks, green spaces and urban water bodies.
The government highlighted the role of women-led community initiatives under the AMRUT Mitra programme, where Self Help Groups undertake tree plantation and maintain parks and green spaces. Urban greening projects are also supported under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment scheme.
In addition, the Centre is implementing the Nagar Van Yojana, which aims to establish 600 Nagar Vans and 400 Nagar Vatikas across the country between 2020-21 and 2026-27. The scheme seeks to expand tree cover outside forests, improve biodiversity and enhance the quality of life in urban and peri-urban areas, with financial support provided through the National Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA).
The minister further said that the India Cooling Action Plan promotes passive cooling measures in buildings through energy-efficient construction standards, helping reduce cooling demand and improve energy performance.
Emphasising public participation, the government said campaigns such as Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam are encouraging citizens to plant trees in honour of their mothers, contributing to mass tree plantation efforts across the country. Tree plantation activities are also being undertaken by other ministries, non-governmental organisations and the private sector.
The government said these initiatives collectively aim to strengthen India’s resilience to heatwaves while expanding green cover and fostering community involvement in environmental conservation.
