Amid escalating temperatures and growing heatwave threats in Punjab, various NGOs and social and religious groups have collaborated to create a network of community cooling zones and heat-relief shelters. These spaces aim to offer respite to gig workers, daily-wage earners, commuters, and the public exposed to extreme heat. The initiative, led by Saanjh Punjab, Eco Sewa, Kendriya Sikh Sabha, and Gurudwara Sahib in Patiala, in partnership with local authorities, provides areas for people to rest, cool down, access water, and find temporary relief from high temperatures.
The organizers envision this model fostering increased cooperation among communities, religious bodies, civil society organizations, and government entities to enhance resilience against extreme heat. As part of this effort, the Municipal Corporation of Amritsar, Eco Sewa, and Saanjh Punjab have jointly opened a Heat Wave Shelter at Sadar Chowk in Amritsar. This shelter, inaugurated by Yogesh Arora, Medical Officer of Health (MOH), features an eco-friendly bamboo structure with bamboo screening, offering shade for pedestrians and commuters.
Additionally, a heatwave shelter has been established by the Gram Panchayat of Jagdev Kalan in Amritsar district. Eco Sewa members, including Nidhi Sindhwani, Minakshi Khanna, Ridhi Khanna, Samriti Kapoor, Manik Chhina, Jasmine Gill, Harveen, and Deepti Khanna, were present at the site. Further cooling and resting spaces have been set up at the Kendri Sri Guru Singh Sabha office in Sector 28, Chandigarh, providing shaded seating and water for workers, commuters, and the public.
Similar facilities have been introduced at Gurdwara Parmeshwar Dwar in Shekhupur, Patiala, with plans for additional cooling zones in Patiala and Amritsar in the near future. Saanjh Punjab, a network focusing on agriculture, climate resilience, and environmental sustainability in Punjab, has been instrumental in fostering collaboration among various community groups and institutions involved in this initiative.
Gurpreet Singh of Kendri Sri Guru Singh Sabha emphasized the Sikh tradition’s emphasis on ‘seva’ and caring for humanity. He highlighted that amid worsening heatwaves, providing water, shade, and rest is a practical way to safeguard people’s health and dignity. Nidhi Sindhwani of Eco Sewa echoed these sentiments, stressing that environmental actions should directly benefit individuals. She pointed out that interventions like heat shelters, tree cover, and public cooling spaces can enhance city livability and aid communities in adapting to rising temperatures.
Gurpreet Kaur of Clean Air Punjab underscored that extreme heat poses a significant climate risk for Punjab residents. She advocated for community cooling zones as a cost-effective, impactful measure to mitigate heat stress and safeguard vulnerable populations.
