KOHIMA, NOVEMBER 11: Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha, Harivansh advocated for the holistic and community based approach to tackle climate change in the Northeast region of India.
Addressing the day-2 plenary session of the 22nd Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) India Region Zone-III Conference in Kohima today, Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha, Harivansh delivered the keynote address on the theme “Climate Change In the Light of Recent Cloudburst and Landslides in Some North East Region.” Calling climate change one of the most pressing challenges of the time, Harivansh said that its effects are being increasingly felt in the North East through frequent cloudbursts, landslides, and flash floods. He noted that as of mid-2025, the region has recorded over 800 landslides, resulting in loss of life and property.
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Recalling Rabindranath Tagore’s early warnings about mankind’s exploitation of nature, he said the poet-philosopher’s words continue to resonate today as the world faces ecological imbalance and rising temperatures. Despite being a developing country, India, he stressed, has taken proactive steps to address climate challenges through national policies and community-level initiatives.
Highlighting the need for preparedness and resilience, the Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha spoke of the Disaster Management Act, early warning systems, and the “Common Alerting Protocol-based Integrated Alert System” that help issue timely warnings. He also mentioned the Mission Mausam and the Bharat Forecasting System, which strengthen India’s capacity to predict and respond to extreme weather events.
Harivansh emphasized the importance of investment in scientific research and cited his own efforts through MPLAD funds to support the establishment of a Centre for Earthquake Engineering at IIT Patna and a Centre for River Studies at Aryabhatta Knowledge University. He also lauded the Nagaland Legislative Assembly for forming a dedicated Committee on Climate Change and other initiatives promoting sustainable development and grassroots resilience.
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Calling for synergy among North Eastern states, he urged legislatures to prioritize climate action plans, effective town planning, and sustainable resource management, while recognizing indigenous knowledge systems and community participation.
Concluding his address, Harivansh quoted Mahatma Gandhi, reminding that “the world has enough for everyone’s need, but not enough for everyone’s greed,” and urged policymakers to view environmental protection as integral to human development rather than as an impediment to economic growth.