馃嚥馃嚭MauritiusEast Africa
New Delhi residents endure extreme indoor heat as climate change impacts vulnerable populations
via Le Mauricien3 min read
Residents in New Delhi, particularly in densely populated and impoverished areas like Sundar Nagri, are experiencing unbearable heat, even inside their homes, with temperatures often exceeding 40 degrees Celsius at night. Durga Devi, a 45-year-old resident, finds her concrete home, with its low ceilings and poor ventilation, traps heat, making it "unlivable." Her 21-year-old son, Abhishek Devi, is documenting these conditions with a thermal camera as part of an initiative sponsored by Greenpeace India. He has recorded indoor temperatures of 45 degrees Celsius at night and up to 60 degrees Celsius on street asphalt during the day, significantly higher than official weather station readings. This documentation, involving around twenty families, aims to pressure local authorities to implement better protections for vulnerable populations. The collected data will support a complaint against authorities to mandate a comprehensive action plan, as current heat protection measures, which fall under state jurisdiction, often focus on emergency responses rather than long-term solutions like building insulation standards. India is severely affected by climate change, with average summer temperatures steadily rising. May 2024 saw a peak of 49.2 degrees Celsius, matching a record from two years prior, and the highest May nighttime minimum of 31.9 degrees Celsius in fourteen years. The government provides limited data on heat-related deaths, but a May study by University of Berkeley scient
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Le Mauricien.
Must ReadThe British government intends to accelerate the ratification of the treaty concerning the Chagos Archipelago. Attorney General Lord Hermer stated before the Justice Committee of the British Parliament that London remains committed to finalizing the agreement with Mauritius in the coming weeks, despite political controversy and reservations from some Chagossians. The UK government seeks to quickly ratify the treaty with Mauritius on the sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago, which includes the strategic island of Diego Garcia. Lord Hermer confirmed that the executive is fully committed to adopting this agreement "in the coming weeks and months." The treaty outlines the transfer of sovereignty of the Chagos to Mauritius, a historical claim supported by international bodies such as the United Nations and the International Court of Justice. Concurrently, the agreement would ensure the continued operation of the Diego Garcia military base under a long-term lease, allowing the UK and the United States to maintain this strategic site. However, the agreement faces opposition in the United Kingdom, with some opposition members, primarily conservatives, criticizing it as an excessive concession on a strategic territory. Concerns also include the potential cost and long-term geopolitical implications. The fate of the Chagossians, forcibly displaced between the 1960s and 1970s for the military base's establishment, is another sensitive point. While some support the return of Mauritian s
The Rastafari Sociocultural Association ASR held a press conference on June 25 to reiterate its demands for the recognition and respect of Rastafari culture in Mauritian society, as well as the recognition of cannabis use within Rastafari religious practices. The association also seeks effective inclusion of Rastafari in policy and legal discussions concerning their rights. Members stated their desire to contribute to national development but feel their community faces prejudice and discrimination, citing stereotypes related to their hair over the past two decades. Micha毛l Toocaram, the association's spokesperson, emphasized the spiritual significance of cannabis for Rastafari, stating, "For us, it is sacred." Ruddy, an ASR member, confirmed that the association submitted a plea to the National Agency for Drug Control, requesting guarantees against discrimination for Rastafari due to cannabis use, consumption, cultivation, transport, or sharing. He highlighted that Rastafari worldwide use cannabis in rituals and ceremonies, and while the Mauritian Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, the illegality of cannabis hinders their social and cultural integration. Lovena, a Rastafari mother, shared her family's struggles, including imprisonment and hair cutting because of cannabis, and difficulties with banking and employment due to a tarnished reputation. The ASR argues that repression for cannabis use disproportionately impacts their lives, leading to family separation, pov
Chetan Baboolall, a Member of Parliament for Fron Militan Progresis, stated that the government is penalizing retirees and workers, causing deep disturbance among the people of Mauritius. He asserted that no previous budget has left the population so uncertain about their future. Baboolall criticized recent changes to pension measures, the freezing of the Means Test, and the uncertainty surrounding funding sources like the expected revenue from the Chagos deal, which he believes undermine the budget's credibility. He argued that cutting pensions, raising taxes, or borrowing more are easy paths, while confronting inefficiency, waste, and entrenched privilege is the hard path to sustainable progress. He described the budget as "fake" and not reflective of reality. Baboolall also denounced the rising cost of living, noting that families continue to suffer from increased prices for food, electricity, and healthcare. He was critical of a new tax bracket for high earners and questioned the additional 5% tax on insurance. He highlighted what he called government contradictions, particularly regarding issues that required backtracking or freezing of announced measures, and accused the administration of "squeezing those who rely on the Basic Retirement Pension for survival." Beyond criticism, Baboolall advocated for structural reforms focusing on local agriculture, food security, import reduction, water management, and energy transition. He concluded by stating that Mauritius must ref