Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s development in the coming decade must be guided by strong partnerships and community-led planning to address emerging climate risks, evolving livelihood patterns and demographic shifts, said Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja while inaugurating the 6th Odisha Vikash Conclave (OVC) 2025 Wednesday.
“Decentralised, community-driven approaches—particularly through SHGs and local institutions—are essential for improving service delivery, generating local livelihoods and reducing distress migration,” Ahuja said, calling for greater convergence between government, civil society, academia, markets and communities.
Setting the context, Odisha Development Initiative and CYSD Co-founder Jagadananda said OVC 2025 focuses on ‘Balanced Development and Climate Resilience’ as central to Odisha’s vision for the next decade.
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“Forests, coasts, wetlands, livelihoods, governance, social protection and technology are interconnected, and Odisha needs holistic solutions that treat last-mile communities as partners, not mere beneficiaries,” he asserted.
Speaking on climate transitions, Just Transition and climate change, iFOREST Director Srestha Banerjee emphasised that the recently concluded COP30 has recognised Just Transition as a global priority.
“Odisha must pursue a people-centred transition that protects livelihoods in coal-bearing and resource-dependent regions,” she said.
Highlighting demographic shifts, UNFPA Odisha State Head, Md. Nadeem Noor noted that the state’s total fertility rate has fallen to 1.6, and Odisha is projected to enter a ‘net mortality zone’ by 2041.
“Rising life expectancy, declining birth rates and increasing disability prevalence call for new governance and public health strategies,” he said.
The Conclave features 15 thematic sessions across five pillars—ecosystem protection, just transitions, resilient governance, vulnerability reduction and social leadership.
Key outcomes will include an Odisha Climate & Development Policy Brief and a repository of locally led climate-resilient solutions ready for scale-up.
