Guwahati, Nov 30 : The Balipara Foundation hosted the 12th annual Eastern Himalayan Naturenomics Forum in Guwahati, focusing on “The Future of the Third Pole & the Eastern Himalaya.” The two-day event brought together 60 leaders from 15 countries, including policymakers, corporate leaders, conservationists, and academics, to discuss urgent actions needed to safeguard the fragile ecosystems of the Eastern Himalayas and the broader Third Pole region.

Key speakers included HRH Queen Diambi Kabatusuila (Congo), Praveer Sinha (MD & CEO, Tata Power), Chanakya Chaudhury (VP, Tata Steel), Dr. Vibha Dhawan (DG, TERI), and Spencer Low (Google Asia Pacific). Discussions emphasized leveraging traditional knowledge, valuing natural ecosystems, and fostering collaboration across sectors. Panels explored topics such as watershed management, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and Asian elephant conservation.

The event concluded with the Balipara Foundation Awards, recognizing 14 grassroots leaders, scientists, and conservationists for their efforts in preserving the Eastern Himalayas’ biocultural heritage. Actress Kim Sharma celebrated these achievements, alongside tributes to TERI’s 50 years of sustainable development work.