Eastern Himalayan Naturenomics Forum 2025: A Landmark Gathering for Ecological Resilience and Collaborative Action in the Third Pole Region

Eastern Himalayan Naturenomics™ Forum 2025: A Landmark Gathering for Ecological Resilience and Collaborative Action in the Third Pole Region

Mahabahu & Mahabahu Climate Forum Partners with Balipara Foundation to Drive Sustainability Dialogues at EHNF 2025

Nilim Kashyap Barthakur

The 13th edition of the Eastern Himalayan Naturenomics™ Forum (EHNF) 2025, organised by the Balipara Foundation, concluded on December 11 after two days of intensive deliberations, marking a significant milestone in regional efforts to address climate change, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable development. The forum was held in a multi-venue format, distributing sessions across four esteemed academic institutions in Assam: Gauhati University, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati, Cotton University, and Assam Royal Global University.

This innovative approach allowed for a specialised thematic focus at each venue. Sustainable Land Futures at Gauhati University, Water & Energy at IIT Guwahati, Forests & Biodiversity at Cotton University, and Sustainability & Social Entrepreneurship at Assam Royal Global University, thereby expanding outreach and facilitating more profound interactions among academics, industry leaders, policymakers, conservationists, and community stakeholders.

A key highlight of EHNF 2025 was the strategic collaboration with the Mahabahu Climate Forum, which served as one of the knowledge partners, while Mahabahu served as themedia partner. This partnership represents a vital extension of Mahabahu’s ongoing commitments, following recent Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with Bhattadev University and The Climate Reality Project.

The forum attracted an illustrious lineup of national and international speakers and participants, underscoring its growing stature as a premier platform for dialogue on the Eastern Himalayas and the broader Third Pole region. Distinguished guests included Her Excellency May-Elin Stener, Ambassador of Norway to India; Kesang Wangdi, Former Ambassador and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Bhutan Trust Fund for Environment Conservation; Sundara Ramam, Vice President – Corporate Services, Tata Steel; and Dr Vibha Dhawan, Director General of The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), their contributions enriched discussions on integrating ecological imperatives into developmental strategies.

Corporate engagement was equally robust, with senior representatives from leading organisations such as Tata Power, Google, Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL), Luminous, Schneider Electric, Coca-Cola, Tata Consumer Products, Mahindra Group, SEROS, HDFC Bank, and Axis Bank actively participating. These industry leaders shared insights on advancing nature-positive business models, fostering green innovation, and supporting sustainable transitions tailored to the unique ecological vulnerabilities of the Eastern Himalayan region.

The proceedings on December 10 commenced with focused panel discussions across venues. At Gauhati University, a session titled “Reclaiming the Landfill: Ecological Restoration of Waste Landscapes” brought together experts to explore innovative approaches to rehabilitating degraded environments.

The panel featured Author, adventurer, TEDx Speaker and MCF Convenor, Rituraj Phukan; Head of the Department of Horticulture, Sikkim University,Dr Sujata Upadhyay; and IFS (Retd.), Adviser to the Forest & Environment Department, Government of Meghalaya,Shri Ranjit Singh Gilland Lt. General Arun Kumar Sahni (Retd.), former General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Indian Army moderated the important session. Their discourse highlighted practical strategies for transforming waste sites into productive ecosystems, emphasising community involvement and scientific interventions.

Concurrently, at Assam Royal Global University, Nilim Kashyap Barthakur, Sub-Editor of Mahabahu, represented the platform in a panel discussion on “Youth and Social Entrepreneurship.”

The second day, December 11, featured several pivotal moments at Gauhati University. A major event was the formal launch of the book‘Climate Justice 101: Empowering Community Leadership’, authored by Rituraj Phukan, who is also the founder and president of Indigenous Peoples Climate Justice Forum and Climate Editor of Mahabahu. The book was unveiled by Ranjit Barthakur, Founder of the Balipara Foundation and Chairman of Globally Managed Services (GMS), symbolising the foundation’s enduring support for knowledge dissemination in climate justice.

Following the launch, Rituraj Phukan moderated a high-level panel discussion with prominent conservationists and media professionals: Randhir Bittu Sahgal, Founder of Sanctuary Nature Foundation; Purnima Devi Barman, Founder of the Hargila Army; Sanjeev Sarma, Managing Editor of Mahabahu, a prominent Indian tech leader, CEO at WebX Technologies; Robin Eastmant, Conservation Lead; and Anjan Sarma, President of Mahabahu Climate Forum and Editor of Mahabahu. The conversation delved into grassroots strategies for ecological restoration and community empowerment.

In a candid reflection during the session, Phukan stated, “I’m not very optimistic about how we will deal with climate change. Even with all the precautions, systems, and awareness we put in place, people are still going to suffer. The impacts are already visible: rising temperatures, unpredictable weather, and increasing natural disasters. We can slow it down, we can adapt, but the truth is that many communities will still face hardships despite doing everything right.” His remarks underscored the urgency of proactive, equitable climate action.

Purnima Devi Barman stated, “The story of the hargila bird is a sore reminder of how our perceptions shape the survival of a species. In many ways, my soul is like the hargila – misunderstood, judged, yet deeply resilient. When our perception changed towards the hargila, its future began to change too, and the same is true for every other species fighting for space and dignity. So I urge everyone: raise your voice not just for the hargila, but for every species that cannot speak for itself. Because saving them is ultimately saving a part of ourselves”

Bittu Sehgal, who is a prominent Indian environmentalist and founder of Sanctuary Nature Foundation, remarked”Humans are not superior to any other species; we are simply part of a larger web of life. Yet today, we often act without understanding-even forgetting when to plant, what to plant, and how nature truly functions. What we need now is a renewed sense of humility, a reminder that our survival depends on learning from the land rather than trying to dominate it.”

Anjan Sarma highlighted the collaborative momentum, noting: “After collaborating with Bhattadev University and the Bajali District Commission, this is an important collaboration with the Balipara Foundation and Mahabahu. We are hoping to work together in the future for climate and sustainability.”

The forum’s themes spanned critical areas, including nature-based solutions, climate-resilient infrastructure, circular economies, youth-led innovation, and the integration of ecology into regional development pathways. These discussions reinforced the imperative for cross-sectoral partnerships to safeguard the biodiversity-rich Eastern Himalayas, often referred to as part of the larger Third Pole due to its vital water towers and climatic significance.

The event culminated in the evening with the prestigious Balipara Foundation Awards ceremony, held at Vivanta Hotel in Guwahati. The awards recognised exemplary contributions by climate leaders, conservationists, and community initiatives, celebrating achievements in ecological restoration, wildlife protection, and sustainable livelihoods.Rituraj Phukan was invited to present an award to Zoram Entu Pawl from Mizoram.

EHNF 2025 not only amplified voices from the Eastern Himalayas but also catalysed actionable commitments toward a nature-positive future. By fostering dialogue among diverse stakeholders, the forum has solidified its role as a catalyst for transformative change, inspiring continued collaboration in the face of escalating environmental challenges. The Balipara Foundation’s vision of “Naturenomics™”balancing economic growth with ecological integrity resonated throughout, offering a roadmap for resilient development in one of the world’s most biodiverse and climate-vulnerable regions.

13-12-2025

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