Reducing Urban Heat Island Effects in Indian Cities
UPSC / SSC current affairs note · IR
Why in news
The PIB release highlights government measures to mitigate Urban Heat Island (UHI) effects in Indian cities. It details heat action plans, advisories for informal workers, and state-level climate assessments, emphasizing the growing urgency of urban heat management.
Background
Urban Heat Island (UHI) refers to urban areas experiencing higher temperatures than surrounding rural areas due to human activities and built surfaces. In India, rapid urbanization exacerbates this, posing risks to health, infrastructure, and livelihoods. The 12th Schedule of the Constitution places urban planning under state and local bodies, with the central government providing support through schemes and guidelines.
Key facts
NDMA issued national guidelines in 2019 for preparing Heat Action Plans (HAPs), requiring cities to assess vulnerability and include mitigation measures for UHI.
So far, 23 states, 195 districts, and 64 cities have prepared HAPs.
NDMA issued an advisory on protecting informal workers during heatwaves, recommending shaded vending zones, drinking water, cooling centers, flexible hours, and timely warnings.
Delhi's State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC 2.0) used IMD data (1991-2020) and IPCC AR6 scenarios for a comprehensive climate vulnerability assessment.
The assessment identified rising temperatures and severe heatwaves as one of Delhi's two major climate vulnerability hotspots.
Under SSP2-4.5, summer maximum temperatures in Delhi are projected to rise by ~1.5°C by mid-century; under SSP5-8.5, by ~2.1°C, with increased frequency of extreme hot days.
South Delhi is the most climate-vulnerable district, while New Delhi is the least vulnerable.
Delhi SAPCC includes measures like cool roofs, cooling corridors, urban green infrastructure, UHI integration in planning, eco-friendly redevelopment, rainwater drainage, wetland revival, and flood-proof infrastructure.
The India Cooling Action Plan (ICAP) by MoEFCC promotes sustainable cooling across sectors to reduce cooling demand, improve energy efficiency, and adopt better technologies.
Prelims pointers
- 12th Schedule of Constitution: urban planning under state/local bodies
- NDMA: National Disaster Management Authority
- Heat Action Plan (HAP)
- India Cooling Action Plan (ICAP) by MoEFCC
- Delhi State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC 2.0)
- IPCC AR6 climate scenarios
- SSP (Shared Socioeconomic Pathways): SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5
- Urban Heat Island (UHI)
- MoEFCC: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Mains angles
- Discuss the effectiveness of Heat Action Plans in mitigating urban heat island effects in Indian cities.
- Critically examine the role of urban local bodies in implementing climate adaptation measures like cool roofs and green infrastructure.
- Analyze the vulnerability of informal workers to heatwaves and evaluate policy measures for their protection.