February 24: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) will organize ‘Him-CONNECT’ on the sidelines of the The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI)’s World Sustainable Development Summit 2026 in New Delhi from February 25 to 27, 2026.
The initiative aims to connect researchers from the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) with start-ups, investors, incubators, industry leaders and policymakers to facilitate collaborations, pilot deployments and funding opportunities. The platform will be open to visitors on February 26 and 27.
Bridging Innovation and Enterprise
Him-CONNECT is designed as a collaborative platform where research outcomes meet enterprise solutions. More than 24 technologies, prototypes, patents and pilot projects developed under the Ministry’s National Mission on Himalayan Studies (NMHS) will be showcased during the event.
While NMHS has supported a broad range of locally relevant, science-based innovations over the past decade, several of these solutions require structured pathways for commercialization and large-scale deployment. Him-CONNECT seeks to create that enabling ecosystem by linking innovators with funding channels and policy support mechanisms.
The event is expected to witness participation from over 100 start-ups, incubators, investors and policymakers, fostering a dynamic interface between science, finance and governance.
Premier Institutions to Showcase Technologies
The 24 innovators represent leading academic and research institutions across the country, including IITs at Guwahati, Roorkee, Jodhpur, Jammu, Ropar and Mandi; CSIR institutions such as CRRI and IHBT; Central Agricultural University, Imphal; NITs at Silchar and Arunachal Pradesh; SKUAST-K; University of Kashmir; TERI-Guwahati; Kumaon University; and the G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment.
Drawing on NMHS’s support to over 250 action-oriented initiatives, Him-CONNECT will display field-validated and market-ready solutions in sectors such as water security, climate adaptation, renewable energy, waste-to-wealth, sustainable construction and nature-based livelihoods.
Key innovations include eco-friendly road construction technologies, treated wastewater for hydroponic farming, sericulture waste conversion into burn ointments, low-cost mineralised water purifiers, pine needle-based wastewater treatment systems, decentralised wastewater reuse models, and yak milk cottage cheese processing technologies.
Focus on Climate Resilience and Green Growth
Him-CONNECT also underscores India’s commitment to solution-driven climate leadership and South-South cooperation. By aligning scientific innovation with financial investment and policy frameworks, the initiative aims to accelerate climate resilience and sustainable development across mountain ecosystems.
The Indian Himalayan Region, known for its ecological fragility and biodiversity richness, serves as a life-support system for millions residing in upland and downstream areas. It also plays a crucial role as a climate regulator for much of Asia and holds immense cultural and spiritual significance.
Through targeted interventions under NMHS, the Ministry continues to support research and innovation addressing key challenges such as water security, biodiversity conservation, sustainable livelihoods and waste management.
With Him-CONNECT at WSDS 2026, MoEFCC is creating a robust platform to transform Himalayan research into scalable, real-world solutions—benefiting not just the Himalayas but other fragile mountain regions worldwide.
