The 14th edition of the Eastern Himalayan Naturenomics™️ Forum (EHNF), organised by the Balipara Foundation, concluded on Tuesday at Assam Royal Global University (RGU), Guwahati, with discussions centred on Green Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
The fifth and final day of the forum brought together experts, policymakers, practitioners and development professionals from organisations such as the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Development Alternatives, TREE Foundation, WWF-India and the Climate-Smart Forest Economy Programme. Discussions focused on how innovation, green technologies and sustainable business models can contribute to ecological resilience and inclusive economic growth across the Eastern Himalayan region.
One of the key highlights of the day was the address by Dr. Balakrishna Pisupati, Head of UNEP India, who stressed that the success of investments should be measured not only by the amount of funding announced but by the long-term impact they create.
“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 underscored the importance of directing investments towards building local capacities, supporting entrepreneurship, strengthening supply chains and creating lasting livelihood opportunities for communities.
Throughout the session, participating organisations shared insights on environmental innovation, community-led enterprises, conservation, sustainable resource management and pathways for green economic transition. The discussions highlighted the need to align environmental priorities with viable economic opportunities while ensuring that local communities remain at the centre of development initiatives.
The concluding session marked the end of the five-day Naturenomics Week, which was organised across five institutions and focused on five thematic areas: Communities, Culture and Indigenous Futures at 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 launch in 2013, the Eastern Himalayan Naturenomics™️ Forum has evolved into an influential regional platform that brings together communities, policymakers, academic institutions, businesses, conservationists and development organisations to address sustainability challenges facing the Eastern Himalayas.
Organisers said the 14th edition further strengthened collaboration among stakeholders by creating opportunities for knowledge exchange, partnerships and collective action aimed at securing a sustainable future for the region.
As the forum concluded, participants emphasised that achieving sustainable development requires more than financial investments and technological innovation. It also depends on strong local institutions, empowered communities, collaborative partnerships and economic models that place ecological sustainability and human well-being at the heart of development.
