Centre for Heat Resilience in Tamil Nadu
- Set up within the Tamil Nadu Green Climate Company.
- Part of the U.K. Climate Action for a Resilient Asia Programme.
- MoU signed in Chennai on 23.11.2025.
- Project duration: till September 2026.
- Main Objective:
- Develop high-resolution, city-based heat maps for all cities in Tamil Nadu to enable targeted interventions.
- Implement special heat-reduction projects across Tamil Nadu’s cities and districts.
- Enhance technical capacity in health, urban development, disaster management sectors.
- Collect climate-related data and support the government in developing heat-resilience plans.
- Enhance government and private institutional capacity to manage heat risks scientifically.
- Collaborative initiative involving Tamil Nadu Government, UN Environment Programme, World Resources Institute, and the U.K. government.
- Tamil Nadu recognized for climate innovation: first state to establish a State Green Climate Fund and the Tamil Nadu Green Climate Company, and for treating heat waves as state-specific disasters.
Shoreline management plan
- Tamil Nadu Water Resources Department (WRD) has submitted 41 project proposals worth ₹755 crore to mitigate coastal erosion.
- WRD seeks funds through the State Disaster Management Authority under the 15th Finance Commission for implementation.
- Proposals are awaiting approval from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). The projects are likely to take off next year (2026).
- The projects were prepared based on the draft shoreline management plan and a shoreline changes report from the National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR).
Vulnerable Districts Identified
- WRD has listed five coastal districts as high-priority erosion hotspots:
- Mayiladuthurai
- Worst-hit, with nearly 71% of its shoreline facing erosion.
- Large sections of coast lost in villages like Vanagiri, Naickerkuppam, Pudukuppam (≈50 m lost in a decade)
- Kanniyakumari.
- Tiruvallur.
- Chengalpattu.
- Chennai.
Status of T.N. Coastline (NCCR Report)
- The NCCR study analyzed 992 km of the Tamil Nadu coastline.
- 41% of the coastline is in a stable condition.
- 39% of the coastline is facing sea erosion risk.
- Remaining coastline experiences accretion or moderate changes.
Proposed Mitigation Measures
- WRD plans a combination of nature-based and engineered solutions:
- Nature-Based Solutions: Beach nourishment, Bio-plantation, Palm bioshields, Coral reefs, Coir structures, Oyster shell beds and “Living shoreline” systems (use natural vegetation and sediment to stabilise coast).
- Engineered Measures: Installation of geo tubes, Groynes (recommended for densely populated high-risk locations)
