Bhubaneswar: Climate change has emerged as a major challenge, and development should happen in harmony with nature, said Sunita Narain, Director General of the Centre for Science and Environment, today at the three-day Earth Again Conference 2026 organised by Sambad at Utkal University in Bhubaneswar.

Narain said recent landslides in Nepal and the changing conditions in the Himalayan region are among the visible signs of climate change. She stressed that while development is necessary, protecting the environment must receive equal priority.

“Development cannot happen by ignoring nature. We have to move forward and develop in harmony with nature,” she said, underlining the need for governments to rethink the way development projects are planned and executed.

Referring to the Himalayas, Narain said the recurring natural disasters in the region indicate that nature is under stress. Construction of roads, houses and bridges near the Himalayan region may be considered development, she said, but it is important to examine whether such development is compatible with the environment.

She also pointed to extreme weather events such as cloudbursts, landslides, flash floods and cyclones, saying climate change is contributing to their increasing intensity and frequency.

Narain praised Odisha's disaster management system, saying the state has been able to manage natural disasters effectively and protect lives. She said government initiatives in disaster management deserve appreciation.

However, she cautioned that climate protection cannot be the responsibility of Odisha alone. “The entire country has to work towards protecting the climate,” she said.

Highlighting the growing problem of water pollution, Narain expressed concern over the condition of the Mahanadi. She said the expansion of industries and the discharge of waste into water bodies are among the major causes of increasing water pollution.

She also appreciated Sambad's initiative to create awareness about environmental protection, saying the conference reflects the importance being given to environmental issues in Odisha.

Narain further said abnormal changes in weather patterns are disrupting the natural balance, with rainfall, drought and cold occurring in increasingly intense forms. She stressed the need to build cities that are designed for the needs and well-being of all sections of society.

“Many small solutions can together prevent major weather-related disasters,” she said, calling for practical and sustainable measures to address the growing challenges posed by climate change.