MoU Signed Between Cotton University & Balipara Foundation to Advance Environmental Conservation in Northeast India
A ceremonial signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) took place between Balipara Foundation and Cotton University, marking the beginning of a significant academic and environmental partnership. The MoU establishes a strategic framework for collaboration in ecological research, environmental restorationand sustainable development across Northeast India.
Established in 1901and upgraded to a university in 2017, Cotton University is one of Assam’s oldest and most esteemed institutions, known for its commitment to academic excellence and research. This partnership with Balipara Foundation—renowned for its work in community-based conservation and Naturenomics™—brings together complementary expertise to address the region’s pressing environmental and socio-economic challenges.
Through this MoU, both parties have committed to conducting joint ecological research, promoting sustainable land-use practices, pollution mitigation, and biodiversity conservation. The collaboration will also prioritize community empowerment by creating sustainable livelihood opportunities, supporting local entrepreneurship, and conducting capacity-building initiatives.
A major highlight of the partnership is the co-development of a course curriculum on Naturenomics™, aimed at equipping students with relevant skills for sustainable resource management. The collaboration wouldenrich hands-on internships, exchange programs, and development of an urban nursery and Nature Interpretation Centre as knowledge building capacities for the youth.
“It’s a significant day today, the World Biological Diversity Day- signifying living with harmony with nature and sustainable development. What better day than today to sign this MoU that marks the beginning of a collaboration rooted in the development of ecology and nature”, said Dr. Narayan Sharma, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Environment Biology and Wildlife Sciences at Cotton University, Assam.
This collaboration not only formalizes a shared commitment to environmental stewardship and education but also sets in motion a future of collaborative innovation for the Northeast and the greater Eastern Himalayan region. “This is the way forward for securing long-term goals in biodiversity preservation. With the passion and energy of today’s youth, we can envision ambitious initiatives that foster knowledge and cultural exchange, much like our dream of an Eastern Himalayan Biodiversity Art Exhibition”, said Mr. Ranjit Barthakur, Founder Forester, Balipara Foundation, Assam.
