Gauhati Commerce College from Assam will be representing the state at the 5th edition of the ECHO National Summit in New Delhi on 8th July 2024. The college will present its initiative, Project ‘Anubhusan’, which aims to empower slum communities with sustainable livelihoods.
ECHO (Environment Conservation Heroes) is WWF-India’s annual innovation platform that engages and empowers interdisciplinary teams of university students to explore, ideate, and pilot-test innovative solutions to accelerate environmental conservation efforts. The programme’s theme aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and focuses on addressing pressing environmental issues. Each year, WWF-India announces a new theme for the ECHO programme, encouraging participants to develop innovative and sustainable projects.
The ECHO programme also seeks to bolster entrepreneurship skills among young people by mentoring them in developing business canvases, testing, validating pitches, and transforming innovative ideas into actionable business plans. Projects are evaluated on innovation, sustainability, cost-effectiveness, impact, and scalability by a panel of judges.
After qualifying in the state-level elimination, six potential projects aligned with SDG Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) will compete at the national level. Representatives from Gauhati Commerce College and other leading institutions from Kerala, Delhi, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra will vie for the title of National Champion.
Project ‘Anubhusan’ by Gauhati Commerce College aims to uplift the slum areas near Guwahati Railway Station by empowering residents, especially women, with sustainable livelihoods. The project collects cloth waste from local businesses, provides eco-friendly workshops on making traditional Assamese jewellery, and offers business training. By promoting upcycling and reducing waste, it creates income opportunities and emphasises community empowerment and sustainable urban development through partnerships with local stakeholders and educational outreach.
This initiative supports Sustainable Urbanisation (SDG 11.3) by integrating slum residents into the local economy and improving their living standards. It also supports the Protection of Cultural Heritage (SDG 11.4) by preserving traditional Assamese crafts through jewellery-making workshops.
Dear Reader,
Every day, our team at EastMojo travels through rain, rough roads, and remote hills to bring you stories that matter – stories from your town, your people, your Northeast.
We do this because we believe in truthful, independent journalism. No big corporate backing, no government pressure – just honest reporting by local journalists who live and breathe the same air you do.
But to keep doing this work, we need you. Your small contribution helps us pay our reporters fairly, reach places others ignore, and keep asking the tough questions.
If you believe the Northeast deserves its own fearless voice, stand with us.
Support independent journalism. Be a Member.
Thank you,
Karma Paljor
Editor-in-Chief, eastmojo.com
Archita Baruah Bhattacharyya, WWF-India State Coordinator for the Assam State Office, remarked, “The Assam ECHO State Summit had enthusiastic participants from seven finalist ECHO teams from prestigious institutions including Handique Girls’ College, Cotton College Zoology Department, USTM Zoology Department, Gauhati Commerce College, SB Deorah, TISS Guwahati, and NLU Guwahati presenting their pilot projects. After a tough competition, Gauhati Commerce College emerged as the State-Level Champion and will represent Assam in the National Summit. ECHO has gained popularity among college students in Assam over the past five years, providing an opportunity for college youth to showcase their talents and build leadership, communication, innovation, and entrepreneurial skills through their local-specific projects.”
Also read | Manipur: Over 2,000 evacuated as parts of Imphal remain flooded