Guwahati: Diplomats, researchers, entrepreneurs, students and policymakers from India and abroad convened at The Assam Royal Global University (RGU) today for the inauguration of the 13th Eastern Himalayan Naturenomics™ Forum (EHNF) 2025, issuing a strong call to place the Eastern Himalaya at the heart of global climate action. The two-day event is envisioned by Ranjit Barthakur and organised by the Balipara Foundation in partnership with RGU, IIT Guwahati, Gauhati University and Cotton University.
In her Leadership Speech, Norway’s Ambassador to India, May-Elin Stener, said mountain regions must move “from the margins to the centre of climate diplomacy,” describing the Himalayas as the “water towers for half of humanity.” She underlined the importance of India–Nordic cooperation on clean energy and climate adaptation. RGU Chancellor Dr. A. K. Pansari emphasised that universities must become engines of climate leadership, while D. B. Sundara Ramam, Vice President of Tata Steel India, urged industries to treat ecology and economy as integrated priorities.
Assam Chief Secretary Ravi Kota reaffirmed the state’s commitment to showcasing a development model where infrastructure, industry and forest conservation progress together. Dr. Sonali Ghosh, Director of Kaziranga National Park, highlighted conservation as a foundational economic pillar. A key highlight was the launch of the Guardians of Eastern Himalaya, a youth volunteer network to mobilise students in river protection, biodiversity documentation and forest restoration.
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Day one featured sessions on nature-based solutions and climate-friendly entrepreneurship with experts from Google, Coca-Cola, Tata Consumer Products, NRL, and leading conservation groups. Accepted research papers will be published in special issues of the Royal Journal of Social Science and Research (RJSSR). The Forum continues tomorrow with discussions on cultural knowledge, sustainable business models and scaling local innovations with participation from Bhutan, Nepal and regional conservation organisations.
