14th Eastern Himalayan Naturenomics Forum Concludes in Guwahati with Focus on Green Technology and Sustainable Entrepreneurship
The 14th Eastern Himalayan Naturenomics™ Forum (EHNF), organised by the Balipara Foundation, concluded its five-day proceedings on Tuesday at Assam Royal Global University (RGU), Guwahati, with a focus on green technology, innovation and sustainable entrepreneurship.
The fifth and final day of the forum brought together experts, environmental practitioners and representatives from organisations including the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Development Alternatives, TREE Foundation, WWF-India and the Climate-Smart Forest Economy Programme.
The discussions focused on how green technologies, innovation and sustainable business models can contribute to building resilient economies while ensuring ecological well-being across the Eastern Himalayan region.
A key highlight of the concluding day was the address by Dr Balakrishna Pisupati, Head of UNEP India, who stressed that the success of investments should not be measured solely by the financial commitments made but also by their long-term impact on local communities.
“The success of an investment should not be judged only by the amount of money announced, but what it leaves behind — local enterprises, reliable suppliers, skills and sustainable livelihoods,” he said.
His remarks underlined the importance of strengthening local enterprises, developing skills and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities to ensure that economic investments generate lasting benefits for communities.
Representatives from participating organisations also shared their perspectives on environmental innovation, community-led enterprises, conservation, sustainable resource management and green economic transitions. The deliberations highlighted the need to connect environmental priorities with viable economic opportunities while keeping local communities at the centre of development.
The concluding day marked the culmination of Naturenomics Week, which featured discussions across five thematic areas at five leading educational institutions in Assam.
The sessions covered Communities, Culture and Indigenous Futures at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS); Forests and Biodiversity at Cotton University; Sustainable Water and Energy at IIT Guwahati; Sustainable Land Governance at Gauhati University; and Green Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Assam Royal Global University.
Since its inception in 2013, the Eastern Himalayan Naturenomics™ Forum has developed into an important regional platform connecting communities, policymakers, academic institutions, businesses, development organisations and conservation practitioners.
The 14th edition further strengthened multi-stakeholder engagement, encouraging knowledge exchange, partnerships and collective action towards a sustainable future for the Eastern Himalayas.
The forum concluded with a renewed emphasis on the need for strong local institutions, empowered communities and collaborative partnerships, highlighting that sustainable development requires not only financial investment and technological advancement but also economic models that prioritise ecological integrity and human well-being.
