Ahead of COP30, a tier-2 city in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region has sparked conversations around climate change after bearing the brunt of its impacts. Vasai-Virar, a rapidly growing twin city on Mumbai’s northern edge, is confronting rising climate risks as rapid urbanisation, large-scale infrastructure projects, and shrinking natural buffers converge to heighten its vulnerabilities.
The concerns took centre stage at the Climate Parishad 2025, a two-day summit held on August 23–24, where over 150 residents, farmers, civic officials, experts, and community groups came together to map vulnerabilities and propose solutions. Organised by Youth for Unity and Voluntary Action (YUVA) and Aapli Vasai Aapla Vikas (AVAV), the event examined the city’s increasing exposure to floods, heat waves, and ecological degradation.
