Chandigarh, June 8 (IANS) Amid rising temperatures and increasing heatwave risks across Punjab, several NGOs and social and religious organisations have joined hands to establish a network of community cooling zones and heat-relief shelters for gig workers, daily-wage earners, commuters, and the common man exposed to extreme heat.

The initiative, by Saanjh Punjab, Eco Sewa, Kendriya Sikh Sabha, and Gurudwara Sahib in Patiala, in coordination with local authorities, aims to provide accessible spaces where people can rest, cool down, access drinking water, and seek temporary relief from high temperatures.

Organisers hope the model will encourage greater collaboration between communities, religious institutions, civil society organisations, and government agencies to strengthen resilience to extreme heat.

As part of the initiative, the Municipal Corporation of Amritsar, Eco Sewa, and Saanjh Punjab jointly inaugurated a Heat Wave Shelter at Sadar Chowk in Amritsar. The shelter was inaugurated by Yogesh Arora, Medical Officer of Health (MOH). Constructed using an eco-friendly bamboo structure with bamboo screening, the shelter provides shade for pedestrians and commuters.

A heatwave shelter has also been set up by the Gram Panchayat of Jagdev Kalan in Amritsar district. Members from Eco Sewa present included Nidhi Sindhwani, Minakshi Khanna, Ridhi Khanna, Samriti Kapoor, Manik Chhina, Jasmine Gill, Harveen, and Deepti Khanna.

Additional cooling and resting spaces have been established at the office of Kendri Sri Guru Singh Sabha in Sector 28 in Chandigarh. These facilities provide shaded seating and drinking water for workers, commuters, and members of the public.

Similar spaces have also been created at Gurdwara Parmeshwar Dwar in Shekhupur, Patiala, with additional cooling zones planned for Patiala and Amritsar in the coming weeks.

Saanjh Punjab, a citizens’ network of individuals and organisations working on agriculture, climate resilience, and environmental sustainability across Punjab, has been facilitating collaboration among community groups and institutions involved in the initiative.

Gurpreet Singh of Kendri Sri Guru Singh Sabha said the Sikh tradition places great emphasis on ‘seva’ and caring for humanity. He noted that as heatwaves become more severe, providing drinking water, shade, and a place to rest is a practical way to protect people’s health and dignity.

Echoing similar sentiments, Nidhi Sindhwani of Eco Sewa said environmental action should directly benefit people. She explained that heat shelters, tree cover, and public cooling spaces are simple interventions that can make cities more livable while helping communities adapt to rising temperatures.

Gurpreet Kaur of Clean Air Punjab added that extreme heat is one of the most significant climate risks people in Punjab are facing. She said community cooling zones are a low-cost, high-impact measure that can help reduce heat stress and protect vulnerable populations.

–IANS

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