IIT Guwahati and Balipara Foundation Sign MoU to Co-host Eastern Himalayan Naturenomics™ Forum
In a landmark step for conservation and sustainable development in the Eastern Himalaya, the Balipara Foundation and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to co-host the 13thEastern Himalayan Naturenomics™ Forum (EHNF) 2025 and establish a long-term partnership for academic, research and community engagement initiatives. This collaboration will merge IIT Guwahati’s scientific and technological expertise with Balipara Foundation’s deep-rooted experience in community-led ecological restoration, creating a powerful platform for innovation, dialogue, and action well beyond the Forum.
Scheduled to take place on the 10th and 11th of December 2025, EHNF 2025 in IIT Guwahati will focus on the theme “The Future of the Third Pole & the Himsagar (Eastern Himalaya)”, with sessions dedicated to driving solutions for energy and water security. The Forum, a flagship initiative of Balipara Foundation, is recognised globally for convening thought leaders, practitioners, policymakers, and community voices to shape sustainable futures for the region.
Under this MoU, the collaboration will extend to co-creating research outputs, workshops, and knowledge products, with active involvement from IIT Guwahati’s School of Energy and Centre for Sustainable Water Research. A joint organising committee will guide not only the Forum’s content, participation, and outreach but also future joint projects aimed at delivering measurable impact on the ground.
“This partnership is a step towards integrating scientific innovation with grassroots knowledge to develop solutions that address the complex challenges of our time,” said Dr. Anamika Barua, Professor, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences at IIT Guwahati. “By bringing academia, technology, and communities together, we hope to create a roadmap for a sustainable and resilient Eastern Himalaya.”
Ranjit Barthakur, Founder of Balipara Foundation, added, “The Eastern Himalayan Naturenomics™ Forum has always been about bridging ideas with action. Partnering with IIT Guwahati will strengthen our ability to generate evidence-based, community-driven solutions – not just during the Forum, but through continuous collaboration that will benefit the Eastern Himalaya in the coming years.”
By uniting the strengths of academia and grassroots action, this MoU sets the stage for a dynamic, long-term alliance that will bridge research, community knowledge, and on-ground innovation to address the pressing ecological and sustainability challenges of the Eastern Himalaya and beyond.
