Ecologists advocate for an emergency ecosystem-wide monitoring network in India due to a strengthening El Niño and expected dry conditions. While India excels in weather forecasting, ecological impacts vary locally, necessitating micro-monitoring. Current fragmented ecological observation needs better coordination. Field-level data, supplementing satellite information, is crucial for discerning ecological nuances, directing scarce resources to imperiled ecosystems, and identifying resilience. Initiatives like Uttarakhand's glacial lake monitoring are vital. A unified framework will enable a robust response to immediate challenges and broader climate changes, protecting lives, livelihoods, and diverse ecosystems from cascading effects.