Guwahati: Cotton University and the Balipara Foundation have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at advancing ecological conservation, sustainable development, and community empowerment across Northeast India.
The agreement was formally signed during a ceremony in Guwahati, coinciding with the observance of World Biological Diversity Day — a symbolic choice reflecting the partnership’s focus on harmony with nature and biodiversity preservation.
Founded in 1901 and elevated to university status in 2017, Cotton University is one of Assam’s most prestigious academic institutions.
Its collaboration with Balipara Foundation, known for pioneering the Naturenomics™ model and community-based conservation, marks a strategic alignment of academic rigor and grassroots environmental activism.
Under the MoU, both institutions will work jointly on ecological research, sustainable land-use planning, pollution control, and biodiversity conservation.
The partnership also emphasizes community development through livelihood creation, entrepreneurship support, and skills training in rural and semi-urban areas.
A key feature of the collaboration is the development of a specialized curriculum on Naturenomics, designed to equip students with practical skills in sustainable resource management.
The initiative will be supported by internship programmes, academic exchange opportunities, and the establishment of an urban nursery and a Nature Interpretation Centre.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Narayan Sharma, Assistant Professor in the Department of Environmental Biology and Wildlife Sciences at Cotton University, said:
“Signing this MoU on World Biodiversity Day symbolises our collective commitment to sustainable coexistence with nature. This collaboration will play a vital role in shaping the region’s ecological future.”
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Echoing this sentiment, Balipara Foundation Founder Forester Ranjit Barthakur added:
“This partnership represents a visionary step towards long-term biodiversity protection. By engaging youth in knowledge-sharing and cultural initiatives—such as our proposed Eastern Himalayan Biodiversity Art Exhibition—we can inspire the next generation of environmental stewards.”
The MoU formalises a shared vision for environmental stewardship in the Eastern Himalayan region, laying the foundation for innovative, community-driven conservation efforts that integrate science, education, and indigenous knowledge.
