Assam: Guwahati to host 12th Eastern Himalayan Naturenomics Forum
Guwahati: Recognising the imperative for conservation and sustainable livelihoods, the Balipara Foundation introduced the Eastern Himalayan Naturenomics Forum in 2013.
This initiative aims to uncover solutions and draw invaluable lessons for communities and stakeholders at all levels, from local to global.
Starting with conservation of Asian elephants and extending to the pivotal role of rural communities in the Eastern Himalayas, the forum’s eleven year journey has engaged participants from over 25 countries and involved more than 2500 distinguished speakers.
This year, the forum’s focus has expanded to include the Third Pole, emphasising the region’s critical ecological significance and the need for sustainable solutions.
The Eastern Himalayas, spanning India, Nepal, Bhutan, China and Myanmar, form a crucial part of the Third Pole, alongside the Tibetan Plateau and Pamir Mountains, due to its vast ice and snow reserves.
These reserves, often referred to as the world’s water towers, are vital for regulating water supply across Asia, supporting the extensive river systems of the Brahmaputra Ganges, Mekong, Yangtze and many others, which serve as lifelines for billions.
This region is also a global biodiversity hotspot, home to over 12,000 unique species.
However, the region faces severe threats from climate change. Rapid glacial melt is altering water flows, intensifying floods and landslides, and disrupting agriculture, hydropower, and biodiversity.
These changes have far-reaching impacts on countries like India and Bangladesh, which rely heavily on the Himalayan Rivers for agriculture and drinking water.
The frequency of extreme weather events, including floods, droughts and cyclones, are also increasing, endangering livelihoods, infrastructure and regional stability.
In response to the pressing challenges facing our environment, the Balipara Foundation is organising the 12th edition of the Eastern Himalayan Naturenomics Forum (EHNF), scheduled for November 26 and 27, 2024 in Assam’s Guwahati.
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Since its inception in 2014, the EHNF has established itself as a premier platform for actionable conservation strategies, championing the integration of ecological principles with economic imperatives in the Eastern Himalayas.
This year’s forum, themed ‘The Future of Third Pole and the Himsagar (Eastern Himalaya),’ will confront urgent and pressing issues with unwavering resolve.
Himsagar, spanning the Eastern Himalayas - Northeastern India, Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet, Myanmar, North Bengal and Bangladesh - is essential for maintaining ecosystems and livelihoods.
The region’s rivers including, Teesta, Brahmaputra, Ganges and many more, connect communities and support water security, agriculture and biodiversity.
Founder of Balipara Foundation Ranjit Barthakur, however, said that seasonal flows and glacier melt from the Himalayas are increasingly disrupted by climate change, threatening millions downstream with flooding and loss of livelihoods.
“Our agenda will encompass pivotal areas, including the advanced watershed management techniques, transformative potential of technology in forest conservation, critical energy transition imperative, sustainable land management practices and robust policy development,” he added.
Barthakur further said the EHNF continues to be a catalyst for meaningful dialogue and innovation, driving forward the conservation agenda in one of the world’s most ecologically sensitive and economically vital regions.