The power to make a difference lies within us all. Nothing could demonstrate this fact more clearly than the recipients of this year’s Balipara Foundation Awards – ordinary men and women with extraordinary achievements.
EHNF 2017 Tabs
Programme
Programme
DAY 1: RURAL FUTURES- CONCEPTS, NETWORKS & ACTIONS
CONCEPT - RURAL FUTURES FOR CATALYSING CONSERVATION EFFORTS
Designing Holistic Models for Human- Centric Community- based Conservation
RuFu is a holistic plan encompassing all human needs and one, which allows wildlife to thrive alongside. The objective is to develop implementation plans for RuFu
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Some of the themes would be – Water Accessibility, Turning Waste to Wealth, Green Energy, Education Reforms, Sustainable Housing, Local Economies, Transportation, Technology & Healthcare.
CONCEPT - RURAL FUTURES: INTEGRATING CONSERVATION & LIVELIHOOD
Carbon Negative Jobs for the Future
This session will focus on the integration of conservation efforts and employment generation or promoting alternative livelihoods that are environment friendly if not carbon negative.
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CONCEPT - RURAL FUTURES: FORESTS & PEOPLE
Community Forests or Protected Forests?
This session will focus on forest fringe communities and how social and economic empowerment of these communities is imperative to the survival of our forests.
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RURAL FUTURES: EDUCATION
The Classroom is Wild
Natural Spaces have significant benefits for everyone. But how do you go about creating one? This session will enhance and exchange practical and effective ideas for incorporating nature play and knowledge into our programs and curriculum. We will explore innovative models of education for sustainability through community-integrated, entrepreneurial learning in a natural environment.
RURAL FUTURES: CONSERVATION & NATURE TOURISM OR CONSERVATION TOURISM?
Using Tourism to fuel conservation efforts and enhance public awareness
This session will focus on how a rich bio cultural heritage and conservation efforts to protect this heritage can be combined with adventure and wildlife tourism as a way of generating employment and raising awareness.
RURAL FUTURES: NATURAL ASSETS & CAPITAL
Biodiversity Assets vs. Human Aspirations Complementing the Future of Economics with Mindfulness
This session will explore the topics of creating a valuation model of our natural assets and alternative ways in which we can finance conservation efforts. We will explore alternative business models such as crowdfunding, impact investing to build social impact funds, etc.
RURAL FUTURES: GREEN ENERGY
From Water to the Sun
This session will focus on renewable energy and discuss remote and off- grid energy solutions and also ways of converting waste matter to energy.
RURAL FUTURES: WATER ACCESS
The Ground Water Conundrum
This session will explore reasons for water scarcity and how one can make the most of excessive rain falls and traditional water cannels and perennial sources of water. In addition, this session will discuss water filtration possibilities for remote and off- grid locations.
RURAL FUTURES: TECHNOLOGY/ICT
Technological Innovations and the Solutions
This session will discuss about the technological innovations and it’s use to safeguard the numerous animal corridors and finding solutions for averting the planet’s environmental collapse and reversing its accelerating rates of habitat loss and species extinction.
RURAL FUTURES: CLIMATE CHANGE
Climate Change in the Eastern Himalayan Biosphere
The objective of the session is to address gaps and needs in implementing solutions for climate change and its aspects.
DAY 2: BACK TO THE FUTURE
TRUMPETING THE WILD
Elements Essential for Developing and Implementing Keystone Species Conservation Programmes, using the Elephant as a Mascot
The focus of the session lies in creating a viable platform for global stakeholders from Elephant Science and Conservation to come together for the purpose of networking, collaborating, and brainstorming integrated solutions and targeted action plans for the preservation and conservation of this most iconic species.
LEGALISM IN SHAPING POLICIES
Law & Policy – an Environmental Perspective towards Effective & Inclusive Policies for Ecosystems
This session will explore reforms required in governance & policy that will have a lasting impact on making conservation more participatory, hence, more effective. We will explore how we can leverage effective and inclusive policies for ecosystems.
STORYTELLERS ON THE FRONTLINE
The Role of Print, Social & Digital Media in Conservation
This session will explore the role of media in shaping environmental awareness, relevance of responsible reporting and engaging story-telling to reach out to the masses.
EASTERN HIMALAYAN BIOCULTURAL DIVERSITY PRESERVATION PROGRAMMES
Learning from the People of Land
This session will explore Conservation through the world of botany, address issues and evangelize innovative ideas for Community-based Conservation.
Day 1 - Rural Futures
Day 2 - Back to the Future
Resolutions & Outcome
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- Be more Human Centric and design community-based programmes which are also localized to meet community needs
- Focus on building “Green Power” over simply generating green energy
- Build investment corridors instead of industrial corridors
- Map “Best Practices” at a landscape level instead of measuring them at an individual or organizational level
- Generate media/stories which look beyond the single species, and focus on larger trends and aren’t divided sectorally
- Increase the focus on indigenous knowledge through documentation and propagation
- Strengthen efforts to better the lives of Mahout communities in Assam in collaboration with WWF India
Publications
Tuesday, November 21, 2017 - 12:24
Thursday, November 16, 2017 - 15:57
Pages
In Media
Balipara Foundation Awards, 5th Season - 3rd November 2017
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Since 2013, Balipara Foundation has highlighted and invested in the efforts of societal entrepreneurs who are working tirelessly to create social, economic and environmental impact in protecting the essential natural resources and restoring the beauty of the Eastern Himalayas. Through the awards, we seek to focus the spotlight on these ecological crusaders and their work by publishing the case-studies of their work. Since inception, they have highlighted over 53 case studies ranging from the protection of endangered species and threatened habitats to the promotion of environmental education, tourism, products and services, emphasizing the interdependence between nature and ecology.
Balipara Foundation Awards 2017 will be held on the evening of 3rd November 2017 where we will recognize 10 new ecological crusaders from the Eastern Himalayas. It will feature the Rabindranath Barthakur Memorial Lecture Series, which invites speakers to inspire and energize these ecological crusaders. We are pleased to invite His Excellency President of Central Tibetan Administration Dr. Lobsang Sangay to deliver the memorial lecture this year. In the past, the memorial lecture has featured eminent speakers such as Dr. Ashok Khosla, Mr. Shyam Saran and Professor Gunter Pauli. In 2016, the lecture was delivered in a unique jugalbandi between Mr. S Ramadorai (Technology) with renowned flautist Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia and Mrs. Mala Ramadorai (Music).
To send in your nominations, please write to us at: ehnf@baliparafoundation.com
We seek your continued participation and long-term support for the Eastern Himalayan Naturenomics™ Forum and Balipara Foundation Awards 2017.
| Theme | Recognizing Ecological Best Practices in the Eastern Himalayas & Late Shri Rabindra Nath Barthakur Memorial Lecture |
| Event Date | 3rd November 2017 |
| Venue | Vivanta by Taj, Guwahati, Assam, India |
5th Balipara Foundation Awards Categories
- Annual Balipara Foundation Award
- Naturenomics™ Award
- Green Journalist Award
- Eastern Himalayan Conservation Award
- Green Guru Award
- Young Naturalist Award
- Food for the Future Award
- Nature Conservancy Award
- Forest Guards & Rangers Award
- Special Recognition - Environmental & Social Activist
- Lifetime Service Award
To know more about the previous seasons follow these links:
- Balipara Foundation Awards 2017
- Balipara Foundation Awards 2016
- Balipara Foundation Awards 2015
- Balipara Foundation Awards 2014
- Balipara Foundation Awards 2013
Follow the full coverage here:
Case Studies
The Annual Balipara Foundation Award was conferred to Dr. Dhan Bahadur. Gurung from Bhutan for Ecological Restoration in the region. The Award was presented by renowned television Journalist Bahar Dutt
The Naturenomics™ Award was conferred to Sagir Ahmed for his sustainable use of waste coconut shells in Assam. The Award was presented by Robbie Hart, an Assistant Curator at the Missouri Botanical Garden
The Green Journalist Award was conferred to Amit Patro from Sikkim for reforming the role of Publications as a tool for raising awareness on socio-economic empowerment of the Sikkimese Society & environmental causes in Sikkim. The Award was presented by Priyanka Bista,...
The Eastern Himalayan Conservation Award goes to Joint Forest Management Committee of Bhairabkhunda for their afforestation work in the conflict & violence infested area of Udalguri resulting in to more forest cover and shelter to the Wildlife in the region. The Award was presented by...
The Green Guru Award goes to Dr. Sourabh Deb of Tripura University for inspiring a new generation of environmental stewards through education for sustainability and compassion for Nature. The Award was presented by Elsa Hart, an American Novelist and Climate Change Research Specialist in China...
Young Naturalist Award was conferred to Hiskiya Sangma who has leveraged technology & Storytelling to raise awareness on Wildlife Conservation & to highlight environmental stewards. The Award was presented by Khun Rochana Dardaranada, Thailand’s first speech pathologist
The Food for the Future Award was conferred to Krishna Bodo of Omita Gaon (Assam’s papaya village) where under his initiative Community based farming are changing rural livelihoods. The Award was presented by renowned botanist Scott McMahan from the Atlanta Botanical Garden...
The Nature Conservancy Award was conferred to Bhutan Glory Eco Club (Tsuseki & Limthure) for shifting the mindset of the youth of Nagaland through awareness and education, from a hunting culture to connecting to Nature and preserving our natural heritage. The Award was...
The first recipient of the Rangers & Guards of the Eastern Himalayas was Forest Ranger Khagen Bhuyan from Assam for his valuable contribution towards synergizing community conservation and Wildlife conservation. The Award was presented by Prerna Singh Bindra, who has been...
Our second Winner was Forest Ranger Chakrapani Rai from Assam for his resolve to wipe out poachers from the region in order to protect the Natural Heritage. The Award was presented by Gen (Rtd.) Arun Sahni
Our third recipient of The Forest Rangers and Guards of the Eastern Himalayas was Forest Guard Zakhuma Don from Mizoram for his relentless anti-poaching patrols and for leveraging technology and innovation to create a rich repository of natural history in audio-visual. The...
The fourth Ranger & Guards of the Eastern Himalayas goes to Forest Guard Jampel Lhendup from Bhutan for effectively using Technology to deepen Conservation Impacts. The Award was presented by Arita Kashyap, Eco-Fashion Designer, India
The fifth Ranger & Guards of the Eastern Himalayas goes to Forest Guard Santiram Chetri for his long-standing beyond the call of duty service to protect the inhabitants of Kaziranga National Park. The Award was presented by Robbie Hart, Assistant Curator, Atlanta Botanic...
The Special Recognition Award - Environmental & Social Activist was conferred to Mainu Marak from Sonitpur, Assam for socio-economic upliftment of rural women in her village. The Award was presented by Prof. Peter Mortimer at the Kunming Institute of Botany, a specialist...
The Special Recognition Award - Pioneers of Long Distance River Cruising in India was conferred to Assam Bengal Navigation Jahnabi Phookan & Ashish Phookan for pioneering long-distance river cruises in India. The Award was presented by Prof. Koyuu Furusawa, Kokugakuin...
The Lifetime Service Award was conferred to Former Cabinet Minister, Govt. of Manipur, Haokholet Kipgen for embodying the core values of sustainable development through Foundation for Environment and Economic Development Services. The Award was presented by His Excellency...
Khun Sivaporn Dardarananda is a Secretary General of Elephant Reintroduction Foundation. Taking forward the vision of her Majesty Queen Sirikit, Khun Sivaporn Dardarananda has under his leadership and team of researchers, scientist, rangers...
Eastern Himalayan Elephant Princess, Priyanka Yoshikawa is the winner of the coveted Miss World Japan, 2016 title. A half Indian and a half Japanese, Priyanka represents the bio cultural heritage of both Japan and India.
Parbati Baruah affectionately known as The Queen of Elephants, is the daughter of the legendary Prakhitish Chandra Baruah (Lalji) known for his knowledge and passion for elephants.
Taj’s Green Hospitality
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The Natural Green cover of Taj has been maintained with sustainable actions and is the ideal nature getaway for meaningful green experiences. Their farm to table food, green vistas outside their hotel windows and local trees and shrubs maintain ecological balance and allows one to experience the length & breadth of Taj’s green hospitality.
Our host, Taj has been supporting the cause of nature conservation in the Eastern Himalayas and have lent their unstinting support to the Eastern Himalayan Naturenomics™ Forum. Their sustainable actions and mindful Tourism experience makes it a perfect destination to host the multi-disciplinary platform of the Eastern Himalayan Naturenomics™ Platform to foster community conservation in the region. And to offer the participants, guests and dignitaries a bio-cultural experience and allow them to soak in sustainable living. While driving ideas, solutions and actions towards a sustainable planet.
“Vivanta by Taj”, Guwahati is a thriving eco-tourism destination of North East of India and is the trendiest place in town. They integrate local with modern experiences giving their guests a holistic experience of the natural and cultural diversity of the Eastern Himalayas. Guests are given a warm traditional welcome with saffron & a traditional Assamese scarf, the “Ghamosa” and a refreshing welcome drink Thekera- a nondescript fruit with awesome health benefits, cooling, souring and that aids digestion.
With a special focus on bringing glocal cuisine to the platform, they use seasonal products from their kitchen garden and call the experience “Locavore” and “Zero-mile cooking” leveraging most of the ingredients sourced organically and from local markets. They offer delicious smorgasbord of North east local fruits and a lip-smacking array of visually appealing and tantalizing the taste-bud vegan meals. They ensure maximum optimization and minimum waste as a policy. Segregated, recycled and appropriately disposed.
The natural green valley of Assam, its breathtaking scenery of green plains and blue hills at a distance is the picturesque view surrounding the Hotel grounds. The property is a fly ash brick hotel! I.E. pre-mixed concreate blocks - hence less water has been used during construction itself. Taj believes in reducing consumption and wastage of water by installing low flow fixtures and controlled pressure points. Practice rainwater harvesting for ground water harvesting and implementation of power conservation through installation of low power LED lamps. With a state of the art Sewage treatment plant, treated water goes directly to the gardens. An example of using sustainable design for architecture and glass paneled long windows, it beams of daylight, breath of fresh air and rhythm of life.
Its cozy green nooks of tranquil and abandon are a cradle for creativity and genius. Taj offers many opportunities to connect with nature from within the property and to practice sustainable living. Tree plantation and green cover, go hand in hand to craft a natural habitat for many species of birds and bees. Gifting a plant, gifting greenery to back wonderful memories and a piece of North East, nurturing nature is at the root of all of activities at the venue. It is an oasis of peace and tranquility. Taj is a treat for wildlife and nature lovers.
In our effort to create a global ecological footprint and to spread the message on promoting Eco- destinations in the region, Vivanta by Taj will be our host at The Eastern Himalayan Naturenomics™ Forum 2018 & 2019.
About Us
The distinctive richness of the Eastern Himalayas can be attributed to its colorful biodiversity, numerous niche ecosystems, and vibrant communities. Understanding the dynamics, structure, and functioning of these systems adds an enormous complexity to not only their conservation and restoration, but also in engaging stakeholders and finding innovative long-term solutions.
Founded on the principle, “Real Innovation happens at the edges of disciplines”, the Eastern Himalayan Naturenomics™ Forum provides a platform to foster multi-disciplinary collaboration and innovation. Launched under the aegis of ‘Asian Elephants in the Wild Talk’ and ‘Balipara Foundation Awards’, in 2016, it was rebranded as the Eastern Himalayan Naturenomics™ Forum, to expand the conversations beyond single-species conservation.
Thus far, the forum has seen the participation of over 1400 individuals from 20+ countries, and representatives from 22 Indian States, including Scientists, Botanists, Conservationists, Ecologists, Administrators, Government and Forest Department officials. This multi-disciplinary group discussed a broad swathe of issues with a special focus on the plight of Asian Elephants in the wild and in captivity.
Looking at 2017
To further elevate this dialogue, Balipara Foundation is delighted to announce the Eastern Himalayan Naturenomics™ Forum,2017. The Forum will be held on 2nd and 3rd November 2017, in Guwahati, Assam, India.
At the Eastern Himalayan Naturenomics™ Forum, 2017, the conversations will revolve around the theme of Communities Conservation and Botany. Since inception, we have challenged and questioned the narratives that drive conservation efforts the world over. This has allowed us to develop & implement socially participative conservation programmes and propose the concept of Rural Futures or RuFu as we like to call it. RuFu is a holistic plan encompassing all human needs and one, which allows wildlife to thrive alongside.
The plenary sessions will explore the role of Botany and Communities in the Conservation of ecosystems through the lens of Naturenomics™, Innovation and Information and implementation plans for RuFu. We will explore discussions on understanding the role of the Guardians of Creation and how they are engaging in conservation in a way that supports their local economies and livelihoods and, exploring reforms required in governance & policy that can have an impact on making conservation more participatory, hence, more effective.
Communities, Universities, Government, Non-Profits, Donors and Media Professionals from around the world will engage in a dialogue to explore business models, policy reforms, technology, etc., to identify drivers and innovative ideas for community conservation.