Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Harivansh, on Tuesday described climate change as one of the most pressing challenges of the present time, noting that its impact is increasingly evident in the Northeast through frequent cloudbursts, landslides, and flash floods.
Delivering the keynote address on the theme “Climate Change in the Light of Recent Cloudburst and Landslides in Some North East Region” during the second-day plenary session of the 22nd Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) India Region Zone-III Conference in Kohima, Harivansh disclosed that as of mid-2025, the region has recorded over 800 landslides, resulting in significant loss of lives and property.
Recalling Rabindranath Tagore’s prophetic warnings about humanity’s reckless exploitation of nature, he said the poet-philosopher’s reflections continue to resonate as the world grapples with ecological imbalance and rising global temperatures.
Despite being a developing nation, Harivansh said, India has demonstrated leadership in tackling climate challenges through proactive policies and grassroots initiatives
Highlighting the need for preparedness and resilience, the Deputy Chairman pointed to key institutional measures such as the Disaster Management Act, early warning systems, and the Common Alerting Protocol-based Integrated Alert System (CAP-IAS)—which ensures timely and effective dissemination of alerts during emergencies.
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He also mentioned the Mission Mausam and the Bharat Forecasting System, both designed to strengthen India’s capacity to anticipate and respond to extreme weather events.
Underscoring the role of research and innovation, Harivansh shared that he had personally supported the creation of a Centre for Earthquake Engineering at IIT Patna and a Centre for River Studies at Aryabhatta Knowledge University through MPLAD funds, aiming to enhance disaster resilience and river management in the region.
According to a DIPR report, he lauded the Nagaland Legislative Assembly for its initiative in forming a dedicated Committee on Climate Change, and for promoting sustainable development through policy deliberations and community-led programmes.
Calling for greater synergy among the Northeastern states, Harivansh urged legislatures to give top priority to climate action plans, effective town planning, sustainable resource management, and the recognition of indigenous knowledge systems and community participation.
Concluding his address, the Deputy Chairman invoked Mahatma Gandhi’s timeless words—“The world has enough for everyone’s need, but not enough for everyone’s greed.” He urged policymakers to view environmental protection not as an impediment to economic growth but as an essential component of human development and moral responsibility.
