00:00What if India's heat wave is not considered just a weather problem, but a national security threat?
00:12That is exactly what the National Green Tribunal said on May 25th while directing the centre and states to create
00:18region-specific strategies to tackle the extreme heat.
00:23The Green Tribunal warned that rising temperatures threaten lives, livelihoods, water availability, agriculture and even power systems.
00:33Just days later, on May 29th, the Supreme Court flagged large-scale encroachment inside tiger reserves and sanctuaries in the
00:42Agasthiamalai hills of Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
00:45The court ordered removal of illegal resorts and other structures, including houses owned by government servants.
00:53Damage to these forests could affect water security and livelihoods of millions dependent on the Vaigai and the Tamirabarani river
01:01systems.
01:02For decades, India has had laws to protect the environment.
01:06The Environment Protection Act, the Forest Conservation Laws, Water Act, Air Act and several other rules regulate everything.
01:14From tree cutting, deforestation, mining to pollution and construction.
01:19The challenge in India is not the absence of laws.
01:22It is enforcement.
01:24Take urban heat for example.
01:26Studies in satellite mapping done by India today have also shown that areas with fewer trees and more concrete are
01:34significantly hotter than greener neighbourhoods.
01:37Courts in the NGT have repeatedly intervened to protect forests, wetlands and water bodies.
01:43Laws require compensatory afforestation.
01:46That means, if a tree is cut, then 10 more must be planted.
01:51But implementation is often weak.
01:54Wetlands and water bodies are legally protected, yet encroachment and pollution continue.
02:00The NGT has also imposed severe penalties on state governments and municipalities in multiple cases involving contaminated groundwater and unsafe
02:09drinking water.
02:10So, what can an ordinary citizen do?
02:14Quite a lot.
02:14If you see illegal tree cutting, dumping of waste, burning of garbage, pollution of water bodies or industrial smoke and
02:23chemical discharge, don't look away.
02:26You can file complaints with the municipal authorities, the police, the state pollution control boards or the environmental authorities.
02:33Most states now allow complaints through online portals and official social media channels.
02:40Because environmental protection is not just about government action.
02:44Sometimes it starts with one complaint, one report or one citizen speaking up.
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