By Dr. Asangba Tzudir
The Nagaland Climate Action Forum 2026 is set for January 21 in Dimapur. This event comes at a crucial time as climate change has transformed from a distant fear to a daily reality for many in Nagaland. Just weeks into the new year, residents are already feeling the heat. Rising temperatures, unpredictable rainfall, and flooding are affecting public health. It’s clear that climate discussions are now vital, especially for crowded urban areas like Dimapur.
Previously, conversations around climate change often revolved around awareness activities like seminars and observances of World Environment Day. While these initiatives help raise awareness, they typically fall short in driving meaningful policy changes or community involvement. The Nagaland Climate Action Forum aims to change this pattern. By focusing on actionable outcomes, it seeks to close the gap between climate knowledge and the necessary responses from governance.
Dimapur, as Nagaland’s urban center, is at a critical juncture. Rapid urbanization has brought economic opportunities but has also heightened environmental risks—heat stress, poor drainage, and loss of green spaces are just some of the challenges. The forum’s theme, “From Heat to Action: Rethinking Urban Resilience in Dimapur,” highlights the urgent need for action in cities that will bear the brunt of climate impacts in the future.
A key part of the forum will be its focus on data-driven policies. The planned release of a Working White Paper with localized data on heat stress and land use is an essential step. National and global data often miss local realities. By using evidence specific to Dimapur, policymakers can create targeted strategies for urban planning and public health.
The forum also spotlights climate injustice. Extreme weather hits the most vulnerable—low-income families, children, and daily wage earners—especially hard. Achieving climate resilience demands a focus on social equity.
Bringing multiple stakeholders— from the Dimapur Municipal Council to youth groups—into the conversation is promising. However, it’s essential to remember that climate action isn’t solely the government’s job. Community involvement is crucial to ensure accountability and keep the momentum going after the event. Citizens should push for meaningful change, encouraging institutions to prioritize impactful strategies over convenient but ineffective ones.
Yet, the real challenge for the Nagaland Climate Action Forum will be what happens after January 21. Forums can only be impactful if recommendations lead to budget allocations and behavioral changes towards the environment. Urban planning needs to focus on better drainage, heat mitigation strategies, and careful land-use management.
Nagaland can’t afford to wait. The effects of climate change are real and intensifying. Delaying action will only increase the costs of inaction. Hopefully, the Nagaland Climate Action Forum can turn discussions into lasting policies and foster a sense of collective responsibility. This could mark a significant step in the state’s climate journey, and ensuring this initiative leads to real change is essential.
(Dr. Asangba Tzudir contributes a weekly guest editorial for The Morung Express. Comments can be emailed to asangtz@gmail.com).
