Guwahati, Dec 10: Diplomats, entrepreneurs, researchers, students, investors
and policymakers from India and abroad gathered at The Assam Royal Global University
(RGU) today for the opening of the 13th Eastern Himalayan Naturenomics™ Forum (EHNF)
2025, with a collective call to place the Eastern Himalaya at the centre of global climate
action.
Envisioned by Shri Ranjit Barthakur, the visionary behind the concepts of Third
Pole and Eastern Himalaya Naturenomics and organised by Balipara Foundation jointly
with Royal Global University, IIT Guwahati, Gauhati University, and Cotton University;
EHNF 2025 focuses on aligning economic development with ecological regeneration in one
of the world’s most vulnerable mountain systems, according to a RGU Press release.
Delivering Leadership Speech, Norway’s Ambassador to India, Her Excellency May-Elin
Stener, stressed that climate diplomacy must prioritise mountain regions, describing them as “water towers for half of humanity.” “Our mountain regions must move from the margins to the centre of climate action — because if the Himalaya’s water towers weaken, half of
humanity’s future weakens with it,” she said, highlighting the significance of India–Nordic
cooperation in clean energy and adaptation solutions.
Commenting on this occasion, RGU Chancellor Dr. A. K. Pansari said universities must
become the ground from where climate leadership emerges. “A university must not only
enlighten minds — it must empower society. Our students are not merely preparing for the
future; they are creating it,” he said.
Calling for a reset in business priorities, Shri D. B. Sundara Ramam, Vice President –
Corporate Services, Tata Steel India, said industry can no longer afford to treat ecology and
economy as opposing forces.
Assam Chief Secretary Ravi Kota underlined the State’s resolve to demonstrate a new
development model in the Eastern Himalaya. “Assam has the responsibility and the
opportunity to show that infrastructure, industry and forest protection can advance together,” he said, citing policy reforms focused on climate resilience and sustainable rural livelihoods.
Speaking from a frontline ecological perspective, Dr. Sonali Ghosh, Director, Kaziranga
National Park, said conservation must be seen as an economic pillar, not an obstacle.
A major highlight of the inaugural was the launch of the Guardians of Eastern Himalaya
— a youth volunteer network jointly promoted by Royal Global University, Balipara
Foundation and Assam Investment Advisory Society to mobilise students in river protection, forest restoration, biodiversity documentation and community-based entrepreneurship, placing young people at the heart of climate solutions in the region.
Sessions through the day explored nature-based solutions, climate-linked entrepreneurship
and corporate leadership in regeneration, with speakers from Google, Coca-Cola, Tata
Consumer Products, Tata Power, Tata Electronics, Varun Beverages, Rajasthan Royals, NRL
and civil society organisations from across the region. The Forum also announced that
research papers accepted will be published in special editions of the Royal Journal of Social
Science and Research (RJSSR), contributing to indigenous, evidence-based knowledge on
the ecology and economy of the Eastern Himalaya.
The Forum will continue tomorrow with discussions on cultural knowledge shaping
sustainable business and strategies to scale local innovations for global relevance, featuring
participation from Bhutan, Nepal and leading conservation organisations.
