Strengthening City Heat Action Plans to Protect Vulnerable Groups
Institutional responses to extreme heat in India have evolved considerably over the past decade, with Heat Action Plans (HAPs) emerging as a key policy instrument. These plans have contributed to greater awareness, improved coordination among government agencies, and the institutionalisation of heat risk management. However, existing evidence suggests that many HAPs inadequately address differential vulnerability and often fail to incorporate the specific needs of informal workers and other at-risk populations.
MHT has co-developed and implemented Heat Action Plans in collaboration with local governments across six cities, integrating community-led, climate-responsive solutions.
These plans are designed to protect low-income communities, informal workers, and other at-risk groups, by enhancing preparedness and resilience to extreme heat.
Jodhpur Heat Action Plan
In 2023, Jodhpur Nagar Nigam North, MHT, and NRDC jointly published a hyper-local Heat Action Plan that introduced a ward-level Heat Vulnerability Index, identifying 22 high-risk wards targeting housing improvements, livelihood protections, early warning systems, access to cooling infrastructure, and strengthening institutional coordination.
Jalgaon Heat Action Plan
This Heat Action Plan for Jalgaon has been developed by the Jalgaon City Municipal Corporation (JCMC) in collaboration with Mahila Housing Trust (MHT) through a participatory and multi-stakeholder process. The plan integrates inputs from key stakeholders, including various departments of JCMC, institutes, community women leaders, and civil society organisations.
Indore Heat Action Plan
To strengthen Indore’s preparedness for rising temperatures and the growing impacts of climate change, Mahila Housing Trust (MHT), in collaboration with the H T Parekh Foundation and Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC), launched the Women-Led Inclusive Heat Action Plan for Indore.
The plan was formally launched by Shri Arth Jain, CEO, Indore Smart City, and Additional Commissioner (Transport), Indore Municipal Corporation. MHT served as the key knowledge partner in developing the plan, which provides a structured, sustained, and forward-looking framework to strengthen heat resilience across the city’s departments and wards.
Jaipur Heat Action Plan
This Heat Action Plan has been developed for the Jaipur Nagar Nigam by Mahila Housing Trust through a collaborative process, integrating inputs from key stakeholders including Jaipur Nagar Nigam, departments of the Rajasthan State Government, community leaders, and civil society organisations.
Varanasi Heat Action Plan
On May 16, 2025, Varanasi Nagar Nigam, in partnership with the Department of Medical Health & Family Welfare, Mahila Housing Trust (MHT), NRDC, and IIPHG, launched the Varanasi Heat Action Plan (HAP)—a locally rooted, scientifically informed initiative designed to protect communities from rising extreme heat.
This data-driven, equity-focused plan is tailored to Varanasi’s unique climate challenges and community needs. It features ward-level heat vulnerability mapping, future climate projections, community-led interventions, and special attention to high-footfall areas like ghats and informal settlements.
The launch event highlighted insights from MHT, NRDC, and IIPHG, along with an MoU signing and strong commitments from municipal and district leadership. From cool roofs in dense settlements to crowd-sensitive public health measures at major ghats, the plan prioritizes communities at every step. Download the Varanasi Heat Action Plan.