Currently, India is witnessing an increase in heat and heatwaves, especially in several northern states including Gujarat, Rajasthan, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Odisha. By early April, the rising heatwaves have already begun affecting the population, with temperatures reaching 44–45°C in several cities. This is a serious concern and a cause of multiple problems and discomfort. The constantly rising temperatures are yet another indicator of the impact of climate change and the crisis it brings.
High temperatures are leading to severe water shortages, potentially affecting agriculture and creating major health risks, particularly in densely populated areas. Intense heat and heatwaves pose a serious threat to people’s health, efficiency, and productivity. According to a World Bank study, about 75% of workers in India are in agriculture and construction—sectors that involve direct exposure to heat. By 2030, India alone could account for about 43% of the global job losses due to decreased productivity caused by heatwaves.
Water scarcity, power outages, and hot winds can worsen disease outbreaks. In such intense heat, it becomes increasingly difficult to ensure the availability of drinking water, stable electricity supply, and relief from power tripping. The question arises: are we, our comfortable lifestyle, and our model of development largely responsible for these severe heatwaves?
The Supreme Court of India has recently taken a strict stance against illegal tree cutting, stating that cutting trees is worse than killing a human being. Though the court allowed the planting of new trees by the accused, it refused to reduce the fine of ₹1 lakh per tree for the 454 trees that were cut down. Despite the accused admitting their mistake and apologizing, the court maintained its stance, sending a strong message that there will be no leniency for environmental destruction.
Justices Abhay S. Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan emphasized that strict action must be taken against those who cut trees without proper authorization. Notably, the 454 trees were cut in the Taj Trapezium Zone, created for the preservation of the Taj Mahal and other heritage sites. The court accepted senior advocate ADN Rao’s suggestion that no one should take the law or trees lightly. It also established a precedent that no concessions will be granted in imposing fines.
Even if new trees are planted, it could take a hundred years to compensate for the ecological loss—a concern also highlighted by the court. The Taj Trapezium Zone has been under a tree-cutting ban since 2015. Still, hundreds of trees were illegally felled without the court’s approval. The Central Empowered Committee (CEC) recommended a fine of ₹1 lakh per tree, which the court accepted. The court rejected the appeal by senior lawyer Mukul Rohatgi, who argued for a reduction in penalty on behalf of the accused. However, the court did permit the planting of trees in nearby areas.
In the face of global warming, trees remain the sole natural source of oxygen, shielding us from the dangers posed by urban concrete jungles. Their role is even more critical in ecologically and archaeologically sensitive zones. In such a scenario, policymakers must question how permission was granted to cut trees in sensitive zones. In this age of rising temperatures, both society and administration must cultivate a stronger sensitivity toward trees.
We must remember the Chipko Movement in Uttarakhand and the sacrifices made by people in Rajasthan to save the Khejri trees. Public resistance can play a crucial role in saving trees. Our excessively consumerist attitude is also to blame. In the name of urbanization and development, we have left no stone unturned in damaging nature. Indiscriminate cutting of trees—especially shade-giving ones—and the unchecked spread of concrete jungles in villages and cities are having devastating effects on the environment. Traditional water storage systems are being destroyed. It is high time we focused on harmony between development, amenities, and nature—otherwise, the coming years will be even more challenging.
From concrete jungles to most items we use daily, and our skewed idea of development—all are contributing to rising temperatures. The reality is that while global warming intensifies, developed nations are avoiding responsibility in maintaining environmental balance and providing financial assistance. No developed or rich country has been spared from the effects of climate change, and ironically, these same countries that exploited natural resources for their industrial gains are now preaching to developing nations.
The Earth’s temperature continues to rise every year. The population is growing, land is shrinking, and resources are becoming increasingly scarce. Oxygen levels are declining. The climate-induced temperature imbalance is no longer a local phenomenon—it has become global. Due to global warming, glaciers in the Himalayas are melting ten times faster than before. According to researchers at the University of Leeds in the UK, the current melting rate is ten times higher than during the "Little Ice Age" (16th–19th century).
Today, Himalayan glaciers are retreating more rapidly than those in other regions. Experts warn that if the Antarctic ice sheets melt completely, the Earth’s gravitational balance could change, triggering global upheaval. Large parts of continents could submerge underwater, leading to massive biodiversity loss and the extinction of thousands of species. The Earth could face a catastrophic and terrifying scenario.
Globally, demand for cooling systems such as air conditioning has skyrocketed. A lifestyle focused solely on comfort and a superficial sense of modernity has caused immense environmental imbalance. Year after year, rising temperatures continue to bring new challenges. As temperature records are being broken, torrential rains are causing flood-like conditions. Climate change is increasing the unpredictability of weather.
Governments must make strategic policy decisions and take climate change seriously. If timely actions aren’t taken, a large population’s survival could be at risk. The threat is not just about heat-related illnesses and deaths, but also the potential disruption of agriculture and the food supply chain. Recent studies have shown a decline in crop productivity due to seasonal intensity. This harsh climate reality isn’t limited to India alone—it’s now a global concern.
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*Journalist
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