Uniting for the Eastern Himalayas: 12th Naturenomics™ Forum Sparks Global Action on Climate and Biodiversity
The Balipara Foundation hosted the 12th annual Eastern Himalayan Naturenomics™ Forum in Guwahati, bringing together 60 leaders from 15 countries to address critical challenges facing the Eastern Himalaya and the Third Pole. Over two days, experts, policymakers, corporate leaders, and conservationists discussed the urgent need for sustainable solutions to protect the region’s fragile ecosystems, which play a vital role in regulating climate systems and supporting billions across South and Southeast Asia.
Keynote speakers included global figures like Queen Diambi Kabatusuila of the Bakwa Luntu tribe, Dr. Vibha Dhawan of TERI, and Spencer Low from Google Asia Pacific. They emphasized leveraging traditional knowledge, strengthening natural capital valuation, and fostering collaboration to address climate and biodiversity crises.
Queen Diambi underscored the importance of redefining global engagement by prioritizing solutions from the Global South. “We must look to local communities who understand their ecosystems better than distant policymakers,” she stated. This sentiment was echoed by Chanakya Chaudhury of Tata Steel, who called for harmonious collaboration between corporates and communities.
The forum delved into diverse issues, including renewable energy transitions, water security, sustainable agriculture, plastic waste reduction in rural areas, and Asian elephant conservation. Highlighting the pressing need for ecosystem protection, DFO Pasupuleti Monica Kishore of Guwahati Wildlife Division remarked, “The problem isn’t the elephants; it’s us. Protecting the ecosystem is key to coexistence.”
A pivotal focus was natural capital accounting to drive environmental investment and accountability. Axis Bank’s Abhejit Agarwal stressed the interconnectedness of biodiversity and corporate sustainability, saying, “Collaboration is crucial; stakeholders must realize the vital role biodiversity plays in business.”
The event concluded with the prestigious Balipara Foundation Awards, celebrating 14 community leaders and conservationists for their efforts to restore the Eastern Himalaya’s biocultural heritage. From Manipur’s Loktak Lake to Bhutan’s national parks, the honorees’ work was lauded by actress Kim Sharma. The awards also marked 50 years of The Energy and Resources Institute’s contributions to sustainable development.
Reflecting on India’s alarming climate trajectory, Tata Power MD Praveer Sinha noted, “With 300 days of extreme weather last year, protecting biodiversity is critical—not just for humans but for the delicate ecosystems we depend on.”
The forum served as a clarion call for immediate and collaborative action, uniting diverse sectors to safeguard the Eastern Himalayas for future generations.
