GUWAHATI, Dec 22: Balipara Foundation recently concluded its 11th Edition Of The Annual Eastern Himalayan NaturenomicsTM Forum, in Guwahati. The focal point of this year's forum was the theme of 'The Great People's Forest 2030,' drawing together a diverse group of 60 participants from over 15 countries to collaboratively address key challenges and formulate a restoration agenda for the Eastern Himalayan region. The theme derives from the ambitious Great People’s Forest initiative launched in partnership between the Balipara Foundation and Conservation International earlier this year at the G20 to restore 1 million hectares of forests and farmlands by 2030.
The event featured prominent figures such as Dr. Vandana Shiva, environmental activist; hanakya Chaudhary, Director, Tata Steel Foundation and Vice President, Corporate Services at Tata Steel, Gautam Mukhopadhya, Senior Visiting Fellow, Center Policy Research; Dasho Paljor Benji Dorji, Environmentalist; Ram Madhav, President India Foundation, Dr. Sonali Ghosh, current director of Kaziranga National Park and Monica Kishore Pasupuleti, IFS, Deputy Conservator of Forests in Assam.  
Ranjit Barthakur, Founder of Balipara Foundation emphasized the ecological significance of the Himsagar region, stressing its role in maintaining overall environmental balance. He highlighted, "The third pole that is the region from Tibet to the Indian Ocean is a predominant part of the ecological balance." He added that the initiative by Balipara Foundation will continue to support and regenerate the Great Eastern Himalayas.
The forum culminated in the presentation of the Balipara Foundation Awards, recognizing outstanding contributions to environmental conservation. A total of 16 awards were given to the winners, adding an extra layer of celebration to the event. Forum presented Rural Futures Rewilding Award to Neela Gurung, Nepal. Naturenomics Award to Silluk Village, Women's Welfare Society of Arunachal Pradesh. Green Journalist Award to Choki Wangmo of Bhutan. Green Guru Award to Saibal Sengupta of Darjeeling and Dr. Sushanto Gouda of Mizoram. Young Naturalist Award to Morningstar Khongthaw of Meghalaya. Food for the Future Award to Seineng Singsit of Manipur. Forests Guards & Rangers Award to Awsafur Rahman, Bangladesh, Karma Gyalmo, Bhutan and Panbari Camp, Kaziranga national Park, Assam. Lifetime Service Award to Dr. Anwaruddin Choudhury of Assam. Great Himalayan Star Award to Dr. Ashok Khosla. Rewilding The Eastern Himalayan Grant to Zhimoholi and Shikali of Nagaland. Special Recognition Award to Green Entrepreneur, Biswajit Goyari, Assam. Special Recognition Award - Honoring the Champions of Rescue and Rehabilitation to Azzedine Downes. Food for the Future Award to Seineng Singsit, Manipur and Special Recognition Award - Green Agripreneur to Tenzing Gyatso Lepcha of Sikkim.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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