Date: Saturday, November 22, 2025
Time: 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM IST
Hosted by: All India Disaster Mitigation Institute (AIDMI)

See Recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jY5x6B3V5g&t=2s

The All India Disaster Mitigation Institute organised a Roundtable on “From Heatwaves to Cooling Futures: Maharashtra’s Leadership in Climate Action in India” on Saturday, November 22, 2025.

Maharashtra stood at the forefront of India’s response to extreme heat. The state government has shown bold leadership through:

• The institutionalisation of district and city-level Heat Action Plans (HAPs)
• Piloting the Heat Resilience Framework in Mumbai, Thane, and Nagpur
• Launching inter-departmental guidelines to protect workers, students, and health systems during heatwaves
• Promoting nature-based solutions, such as tree corridors, cool roofs, and water-sensitive urban design
• Integrating public health, disaster management, urban planning, and environment into one cohesive climate resilience strategy

This roundtable convened leading policymakers, researchers, humanitarian agencies, private sector and community organisations to share insights, success stories, and actionable pathways to inclusive, climate-smart cooling.

🎯 Key Objectives

• Showcased Maharashtra’s innovations in cooling and climate resilience
• Fostered collaboration between policy, science, and communities
• Identified pathways for scalable and equitable cooling futures

The Discussion:

• Explored how Maharashtra was transitioning from heatwave response to long-term cooling infrastructure
• Highlighted successful local and district initiatives integrating cooling into health, housing, labour, and urban systems
• Identified policy, technology, and partnership opportunities to scale inclusive solutions

 Speakers:

• Ms. Sujata Saunik, Former Chief Secretary, Maharashtra State Disaster Management Authority, Government of Maharashtra, India
• Mr. Anand Ghodke, WASH-CCES Officer, Maharashtra Field Office, Mumbai, UNICEF India
• Dr. Milind Mujumdar, Chair of Indian Meteorological Society, Pune Chapter (IMSP), Pune Maharashtra, India
• Dr. Shruti Arabatti, Head, Anubandha First Aid Academy (India) LLP (AFAI), Maharashtra, India
• Mr. Mihir R. Bhatt, All India Disaster Mitigation Institute (AIDMI), India
• Mr. Mehul Pandya, All India Disaster Mitigation Institute (AIDMI), India

The event featured the launch of the special issue of Southasiadisasters.net titled “From Heatwaves to Cooling Futures: Maharashtra’s Leadership in Climate Action in India,” which showcased breakthrough research, policy insights, and community voices from across the state.

📢 Participants joined the discussion to explore how rising urban and rural temperatures were reshaping disaster risks and to co-create community-led, nature-aligned cooling strategies that positioned Maharashtra as a model for South Asia’s climate-resilient future.