Bhubaneswar: Six Odisha MLAs participated in a discussion on the impact of climate change on voting behaviour, public health and local development on the second day of the third edition of ‘Punascha Pruthibi’ (Earth Again) Conference 2026, organised by Sambad and Kanak News at Utkal University on Saturday.

The session, moderated by Devjit Mittra, Executive Director of Socratus Foundation, focused on the question: Will Climate impact voting?

The participating legislators were Akash Das Nayak (Korei), Irasish Acharya (Bhatli), Pabitra Saunta (Laxmipur), Dhruba Sahu (Rajnagar), Ashok Das (Basudevpur) and Sofia Firdous (Barabati-Cuttack). Karnataka's Melukote MLA Darshan Puttannaiah, who was scheduled to participate, could not attend the session and conveyed his greetings through a video message.

Speaking about the growing impact of climate change, Basudevpur MLA Ashok Das linked environmental pollution with the emergence of various diseases and changing weather patterns.

He said he had recently returned from a pilgrimage to Kailash Mansarovar and subsequently witnessed reports of devastating floods in Nepal, while Odisha is now experiencing rainfall deficits. He attributed such contrasting weather patterns to climate change.

Das also highlighted his efforts to promote plantation, saying he had emphasised tree plantation since his tenure as chairman of the Basudevpur Municipality.

Sofia Firdous, MLA from Barabati-Cuttack, said Punascha Pruthibi was still a young initiative but had grown rapidly since its launch in 2024.

“Punascha Pruthibi is a new baby. The initiative started in 2024 and the target is 2036. In just three years, this newborn is growing in a healthy way,” she said, adding that the Sambad Group had created an impact across various sectors through the initiative.

Firdous said climate change was already affecting people's daily lives and quality of life, both directly and indirectly. Referring to discussions on climate-sensitive governance at the conference, she said extreme heat could also affect electoral participation.

“On election days, many people do not come to polling booths during the day because of excessive heat,” she said, adding that rising temperatures were having a significant impact on people's health.

She also highlighted flooding, drainage problems and untreated sewage as major concerns in her Barabati-Cuttack constituency. According to her, untreated and sewage water entering rivers has implications for both public health and the environment.

Firdous said she had consistently advocated green policies and had been involved in green construction initiatives even before entering electoral politics.

Korei MLA Akash Das Nayak said the effects of climate change had now reached people's doorsteps.

He highlighted his ‘Mission Green Korei’ initiative, under which around one lakh fruit-bearing trees were planted. Das Nayak said the initiative was conceived as a social programme rather than a political one.

“The trees we planted have now grown and started bearing fruit,” he said, adding that similar plantation initiatives would be taken up in other districts as well.

Das Nayak also warned that groundwater depletion could become a major challenge for Odisha in the coming years. He said he had already raised the issue in the state Assembly.

The discussion brought together legislators from different constituencies to examine how climate-related challenges are increasingly intersecting with public health, civic infrastructure, livelihoods and democratic participation.