The 13th Eastern Himalayan Naturenomics™️ Forum (EHNF) 2025 commenced among four partner institutions: Gauhati University, Assam Royal Global University, IIT Guwahati, and Cotton University. Each university hosted thematic sessions focused on their strengths, such as sustainable land futures, social entrepreneurship, energy, water, forests, and biodiversity. Notable international figures, including Her Excellency May-Elin Stener, Ambassador of Norway to India, attended, highlighting the Forum’s global significance and promoting international environmental cooperation.
Prominent companies like Tata Steel Foundation, SEROS, Coca-Cola, Google Singapore, and Tata Consumer Products Limited also contributed to the Forum, discussing their sustainability commitments within the Eastern Himalayan context. At Gauhati University, Vice Chancellor Prof. Nani Gopal Mahanta stressed the necessity of reconsidering development paths due to the escalating costs of climate change, emphasizing that GDP growth cannot compensate for these challenges.
A significant highlight of Day 1 was the establishment of the Asian Elephant Secretariat at Gauhati University, aiming to enhance collaboration in research and conservation for Asian elephant habitats across the Eastern Himalaya. The Secretariat’s goal is to serve as a platform for knowledge sharing and collective action to protect this endangered species. The first day of EHNF 2025 fostered dynamic discussions, backed by community partnerships and the participation of global thought leaders, setting a strong foundation for addressing global environmental issues with locally-informed solutions.