Global leaders, policymakers, and environmental advocates convened at Royal Global University in Assam for the 12th Eastern Himalayan Naturenomics™ Forum 2024, themed “Acting for the Third Pole.” The two-day event, held on November 26-27, focused on sustainable solutions for the Eastern Himalayas and the broader Third Pole ecosystem, a critical region for climate and biodiversity.
The forum, conceptualized by Shri Ranjit Barthakur, Founder and President of the Balipara Foundation, emphasized the integration of ecology and economy to address environmental and developmental challenges. Discussions highlighted the importance of indigenous knowledge, corporate social responsibility, and policy innovation in protecting the region.
Dr. A.K. Pansari, Chancellor of Royal Global University, underscored the significance of the Third Pole – the Himalayan region – for maintaining freshwater systems and regulating climate patterns. He emphasized the imperative to align development models with sustainability for the future of humanity.
Shri Ranjit Barthakur stressed the importance of partnerships between governments, academia, and the private sector, stating, “Sustainability requires collaboration, and the Eastern Himalayas offer a unique opportunity to showcase the power of collective action.”
Her Royal Highness Queen Diambi Kabatusuila of the Democratic Republic of Congo delivered a stirring address, questioning the current development paradigm, urging leaders to prioritize planetary well-being over short-term economic gains.
Other prominent speakers included Mr. S. Ramadorai, Former CEO and MD of Tata Consultancy Services; Mr. Sourav Roy, CEO of Tata Steel Foundation; Dr. Richard Milburn MBE, Lecturer in Environmental Security at King’s College London; Shri Lobsang Sangay, Senior Visiting Fellow at Harvard Law School; and Shri Himal Tiwari, Chief Human Resources Officer and Chief CSR and Sustainability Officer at Tata Power.
The forum concluded with a call for urgent, collective action to protect the Eastern Himalayas, a biodiversity hotspot and a vital freshwater source for billions, increasingly vulnerable to climate change.