The fifth edition of the Eastern Himalayan Naturenomics Forum organized by the Balipara Foundation will be held in Guwahati on November 1 and 2 next.
The theme of the conference this year is ‘Social-environmental-economic interdependence in the region’.
Over 600 delegates from 14 countries comprising conservationists, local communities, earth heroes, wilderness management experts, technologists, grassroots leaders, social impact organizations, educators, governments and key influencers from the field will take part in the meet.
A release issued on Thursday said the forum, which is a multi-disciplinary platform for innovation and collaboration, has been successful in creating tangible results on rural futures. Saurav Malhotra, designer (rural futures), Balipara Foundation, said the global think tanks will present case studies and panel discussions on key components of the rural futures framework such as ethnography, human-centric- geology, ethnobotany, water and sanitation, education, mindful tourism, alternate financing, technology advancements, etc, and provide meaningful insights on prototypes, actions and solutions that are impacting community conservation from snowline to sea line.
“We have seen several key outcomes and resolutions emanate from the forum, which have a direct influence on ideas and actions on ground leading towards Asian Elephant conservation, successful community conservation models and biodiversity audits,” he said.
Rituraj Phukan, environmentalist and secretary general of Green Guard Nature Organization, said the conference also presents ample opportunities for networking, partnerships and direct multi-level, multi-state and multi-country conversations to build.
K K Sarma, head, Assam Agricultural University, said the forum invites prominent speakers, organizations and thought- provokers and is an eclectic mix of movers and doers in the industry.
Food sovereignty advocate, Vandana Shiva, philanthropist, Diana Owen, local historian, Mark Davies, media guru Bittu Sahgal and organizations like Current Conservation, Sanctuary Nature Foundation, World Wildlife Foundation, Wildlife Conservation Trust of India and Wildlife Trust of India are some of the key influencers and participating organizations this year.
Local community leaders will also share their experiences and conservation story.
Sixth Balipara Foundation Awards, 2018 on the evening of November 2 will recognize 13 new earth heroes who put into action innovative solutions for ecological restoration and inspired others.
Experts across the globe have endorsed the forum and awards as a catalyst of change and the largest gathering in the country that is focused on highlighting the role of local communities in preservation of natural assets and their development to meet the 2030 United Nations Development Goals, stated the release.
