Nepal, Sept. 17 -- Extreme natural events have increasingly become the new normal in Nepal. From extended droughts or severe flash floods to landslides and wildfires, the scale of these climate disasters has been terrifying. Such extreme weather events have killed and displaced thousands of people, and destroyed property and infrastructure worth billions. Being one of the most vulnerable countries to the effects of climate change and deteriorating ecological conditions, Nepal must be ready to brace these increasing risks as well as rethink its development ambitions because growth at the cost of the environment is not sustainable.

Take, for instance, the controversial Nijgadh International Airport project in Bara district. If built, the '...