India, a nation at the crossroads of rapid development and escalating climate threats, is witnessing a groundswell of innovation, policy action, and grassroots adaptation in its fight against climate change. From the bustling metropolis of Chennai to the tribal heartlands of the Northeast, and from the corridors of national policy to the sun-scorched fields of rural Gujarat, the country’s multi-pronged response is as diverse as it is urgent.
On August 9, 2025, a chorus of voices from government, academia, and civil society converged to highlight the nation’s resilience strategies. At the heart of the matter is the recognition that climate change is not a distant threat but a daily reality—one that touches livestock, forests, women, and even the newly reintroduced cheetahs in Indian wilderness.
Dr. Ragavendra Bhatta, Deputy Director General (Animal Science) at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, underscored the immense stakes in protecting livestock. According to ICAR, more than 750 million of the world’s poorest people depend on livestock for their livelihoods, making these animals a critical buffer against poverty. Yet, the challenges are multiplying. Rising temperatures and shifting disease patterns, such as the spread of the bluetongue virus, are threatening animal health and, by extension, food security. “Investment in robust animal health systems is not charity but necessity,” Bhatta declared, emphasizing the need for biomarkers, adaptive management strategies, and two-month disease risk forecasts to provide early warning and swift response.
But the struggle is not confined to the barnyard. Megha Desai of the Self Employed Women’s Association in Gujarat painted a vivid picture of rural women toiling in the informal sector, often invisible but deeply vulnerable. For these women, climate change means more than just rising temperatures—it’s a daily battle against dehydration, heat-induced illnesses, and the scarcity of potable water. Desai’s solution is pragmatic: bridge the gap between government health systems and the informal sector’s familial networks, embed targeted health camps, and ensure that women’s labor is protected by climate-adaptive safeguards. Her message is clear: “Heatwaves sap strength, dehydration threatens life, and basic potable water becomes a rare commodity during weather extremes.”
Meanwhile, in the lush hills of Meghalaya, the climate crisis is already reshaping the landscape. Sampath Kumar, Principal Secretary for Health & Family Welfare, Government of Meghalaya, projected that even under mild scenarios, long-term temperatures could rise by 2.2°C, with worst-case models predicting up to 3.5°C. The consequences—deforestation, erratic rainfall, and shifting land use—are already impacting health and livelihoods. Kumar’s approach is multi-layered: Payment for Ecosystem Services, Energy Access Programmes, a forward-looking Water Policy, solar-powered health facilities, and resilient infrastructure like rat trap bond masonry. To ensure success, these initiatives are overseen by an apex body chaired by the Chief Minister, with empowered village facilitators and natural resource management committees driving grassroots engagement.
India’s response is not just about adaptation—it’s about harnessing traditional wisdom and modern science in tandem. At the Don Bosco College in Jollang, a two-day national seminar on ‘Democratic governance and public policy for navigating climate change’ concluded with a clarion call to codify and protect traditional ecological knowledge. Chief Conservator of Forests Samuel Changkijah highlighted the unique role of Northeast India, home to over 200 tribes, each with deep-rooted traditions of environmental stewardship. “They have their systems to protect their environment through sacred groves and forests protected by taboos and deities, sustainable farming like jhum, paddy-fish cultivation, terrace farming, etc.,” Changkijah explained. He pointed to the Pakke Declaration-2047, adopted by Arunachal Pradesh in 2021, as a model for integrating ecological justice with tribal empowerment, blending community-based conservation with legal recognition of indigenous practices.
The seminar also spotlighted the critical importance of public-private partnerships in building climate-resilient infrastructure, especially in hilly regions prone to land degradation and reduced agricultural yields. NABARD’s Assistant General Manager Pankaj Kumar discussed the bank’s role in promoting climate-resilient agriculture and financial inclusion, particularly in vulnerable states like Arunachal Pradesh. The breadth of research presented—28 papers covering institutions, gender equity, and legal issues—underscored the complexity and urgency of the challenge.
Urban India is also stepping up. In Chennai, one of the country’s most climate-vulnerable cities, the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) announced plans to develop three new sponge parks at Secretariat Colony, Thoraipakkam; Elango Nagar, Padi; and near Vyasarpadi Jeeva Railway Station. Covering about 15 acres, these parks are part of a broader state initiative to create seven climate-resilient sponge parks at a cost of Rs 88 crore. The idea is simple but effective: by combining water (blue) and vegetation (green), these parks can absorb rainwater runoff, improve groundwater recharge, and reduce urban flooding. They also help cool the city, fighting the urban heat island effect that plagues many Indian metropolises. The first such park, inaugurated by Chief Minister MK Stalin in March 2025, has already demonstrated the potential of these green oases to transform cityscapes.
On the national stage, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav offered a rare note of optimism. Speaking to CNN-News18, he shared that ‘Project Cheetah’—the ambitious reintroduction of the species into Kuno National Park and Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary—has exceeded expectations. “It is a challenging project, but the indications so far have been very encouraging. We brought in 20 cheetahs from Namibia and South Africa and now after almost three years of the project, we have 28 cheetahs on the Indian soil… The cheetahs are breeding much better than expected,” Yadav said. He acknowledged that eight adult cheetahs had died, but stressed that this was within expected limits for such a complex translocation. Most importantly, the cheetahs have acclimatized, hunting local prey and coexisting with leopards—a testament to India’s capacity for ambitious, science-driven conservation.
Yadav also detailed India’s updated climate commitments under the Paris Agreement. The country now aims to reduce emissions intensity of GDP by 45% by 2030 from 2005 levels, achieve about 50% cumulative electric power capacity from non-fossil sources, and create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent through afforestation by 2030. Preparations are underway to submit India’s National Adaptation Plan ahead of COP30, with a focus on adaptation strategies. “This Viksit Bharat will be an inclusive Bharat and a Green Bharat,” Yadav said, referencing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for 2047, which includes massive investments in solar energy, green bonds, and a push for 100 GW of nuclear energy by 2047.
What emerges from this mosaic of local actions and national ambitions is a truth that resonates across India’s varied landscapes: climate adaptation is not a one-size-fits-all endeavor. It is a symphony of science, tradition, policy, and community spirit—each playing a vital part in the nation’s quest for resilience. Whether in the forests of Meghalaya, the tribal villages of Arunachal Pradesh, or the busy streets of Chennai, the fight against climate change demands both ingenuity and unity. And as India’s experience shows, the stakes are nothing less than survival itself—for people, animals, and the land they share.
