NMC commissioner Manisha Khatri (in blue saree) and Nashik mayor Himgauri Aadke Aher (first from left) during the signing of a five-year MoU between Nashik Municipal Corporation and NRDC India at the civic headquarters, Rajiv Gandhi Bhavan, recently.
Nashik : In a major step towards strengthening climate resilience and addressing the challenges posed by rising temperatures, the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) has signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NRDC India (Natural Resources Defense Council India) to enhance the city’s preparedness against heatwaves and climate change-related risks. The MoU was signed by NMC Commissioner Manisha Khatri and NRDC India Country Head Deepa Bagai in the presence of Mayor Himgauri Aher, Deputy Commissioner (Environment) Sangita Nandurkar, corporators, and senior civic officials.
Civic officials said the collaboration would provide technical guidance, advisory support, and capacity-building initiatives to help the city adapt to increasing temperatures and extreme weather events. Officials said Nashik has emerged as the first city in Maharashtra to implement a comprehensive heat resilience programme. The NMC’s environment department is committed and fully prepared to achieve sustainable development in the city,” said municipal commissioner Manisha Khatri. Mayor Himgauri Aher said the initiative would contribute significantly to environmental conservation and public health protection while helping Nashik emerge as a model climate-resilient city.
The partnership aims to support Nashik in reducing heat-related vulnerabilities, promoting sustainable cooling solutions, and strengthening climate-responsive urban planning. Representatives of the Government of Maharashtra’s Centre of Excellence for Heat Resilience and Sustainable Cooling at IIM Nagpur were also present during the signing ceremony. The latest collaboration with NRDC India is expected to accelerate several initiatives, including reducing the urban heat island effect, promoting rainwater harvesting, expanding green and climate-sensitive infrastructure, and enhancing public awareness about heat-related risks. “Addressing rising temperatures and climate change has become the need of the hour. This collaboration with NRDC will prove extremely valuable in protecting the health of Nashik’s citizens and safeguarding the environment. Civic officials expressed confidence that the partnership would help the city develop sustainable solutions to tackle heat-related challenges and build long-term resilience against the impacts of climate change.
The initiative includes identifying heat-vulnerable zones, mapping urban heat islands, assessing climate risks, and implementing mitigation measures across the city.
Earlier, the NMC had entered into an agreement with the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) to prepare a comprehensive heat resilience strategy.
Nashik Receives Funding for Climate Resilience Initiatives
Nashik has been selected as one of 12 cities in India under the Centre’s Heat-Resilient Cities initiative. This program is designed to support urban areas in adapting to climate change, particularly increasing temperatures. As part of this initiative, Nashik is set to receive Rs 5 crore to implement climate-resilient planning measures. The funding will focus on developing long-term strategies aimed at mitigating the impacts of rising temperatures on the city’s infrastructure and residents.