The [“Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change”,”india government ministry”] (MoEFCC) is organising ‘Him-CONNECT’ as part of [“The Energy and Resources Institute”,”india research organization”] (TERI)’s World Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS) from February 25–27, 2026, in New Delhi. The initiative seeks to bridge the gap between research and real-world deployment in the fragile Indian Himalayan Region (IHR), connecting scientists with start-ups, investors and policymakers.
Why the Indian Himalayan Region Needs Targeted Innovation
The Indian Himalayan Region is one of the world’s most ecologically sensitive mountain systems. It serves as:
- A water tower for major Indian river systems.
- A biodiversity hotspot with endemic species.
- A climate regulator for large parts of Asia.
- A livelihood base for millions in upland and downstream regions.
Given rising climate risks, glacial retreat, extreme weather events and ecosystem degradation, the region demands locally tailored, science-based interventions.
National Mission on Himalayan Studies: A Decade of Research
Him-CONNECT builds on the work of the National Mission on Himalayan Studies (NMHS), a flagship programme of MoEFCC.
Over the past decade, NMHS has:
- Supported over 250 action-oriented research initiatives.
- Developed 24 field-validated technologies and prototypes.
- Focused on conservation, sustainable livelihoods and resource management.
The challenge now lies in commercialisation and scaling — converting research outputs into deployable solutions.
What Him-CONNECT Showcases
The platform will exhibit more than 24 technologies, patents and pilot projects developed specifically for the Himalayan ecosystem.
Key innovations include:
- Eco-friendly road construction techniques.
- Treated wastewater use for hydroponic farming.
- Conversion of sericulture waste into burn ointments.
- Low-cost mineralised water purifiers.
- Pine needle-based wastewater treatment systems.
- Decentralised wastewater reuse models.
- Yak milk cottage cheese processing technologies.
Participating institutions include premier IITs, CSIR laboratories, Central Agricultural University (Imphal), NITs, SKUAST-K, University of Kashmir, TERI-Guwahati and the G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment.
Connecting Science, Finance and Policy
Him-CONNECT aims to create a collaborative ecosystem by linking:
- Researchers and academic institutions.
- Start-ups and incubators.
- Investors and industrial partners.
- Development organisations and government agencies.
With over 100 stakeholders expected to attend, the platform seeks to facilitate pilot deployments, funding partnerships and policy integration.
This reflects a broader shift in environmental governance — from knowledge generation to implementation and market integration.
Climate Leadership and South–South Cooperation
Him-CONNECT also aligns with India’s climate diplomacy and South–South cooperation goals. Mountain ecosystems across Asia, Africa and Latin America face similar vulnerabilities.
By developing replicable, field-tested models, India positions itself as:
- A knowledge hub for mountain resilience.
- A provider of scalable climate adaptation solutions.
- A leader in nature-based and circular economy approaches.
Such platforms strengthen India’s credibility in global sustainability forums.
Broader Implications for Sustainable Development
The integration of research, entrepreneurship and policy signals a move toward mission-oriented innovation ecosystems.
For the Himalayan region, this could mean:
- Improved water security.
- Reduced post-harvest and biomass waste.
- Climate-resilient infrastructure.
- Enhanced nature-based livelihoods.
The success of Him-CONNECT will depend on sustained financing, community adoption and inter-state coordination within the Himalayan belt.
What to Note for Prelims?
- Him-CONNECT organised by MoEFCC under WSDS 2026.
- Linked to National Mission on Himalayan Studies (NMHS).
- Showcases 24 technologies for the Indian Himalayan Region.
- Focus areas: water security, climate adaptation, waste management, renewable energy.
- Indian Himalayan Region acts as climate regulator and biodiversity hotspot.
What to Note for Mains?
- Discuss the ecological significance of the Indian Himalayan Region.
- Examine the role of innovation ecosystems in climate adaptation.
- Analyse challenges in scaling research outputs into market-ready solutions.
- Evaluate India’s approach to mountain resilience and South–South cooperation.
