The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change will organise Him CONNECT on the sidelines of The Energy and Resources Institute World Sustainable Development Summit 2026 in New Delhi from February 25 to 27, 2026. The platform is designed to connect researchers working in the Indian Himalayan Region with start ups, investors, incubators, industry leaders and policymakers to accelerate the on ground deployment and scaling of research based innovations. Him CONNECT will be open to visitors on February 26 and 27.
Him CONNECT will showcase more than 24 technologies, prototypes, patents and pilot projects developed for the fragile ecosystem of the Indian Himalayan Region under the National Mission on Himalayan Studies. The event is expected to be attended by over 100 start ups, incubators, investors and policymakers, creating a focused interface between science, enterprise and public policy.
The National Mission on Himalayan Studies has supported over 250 action oriented initiatives over the past decade. While many of these innovations are locally relevant and scientifically validated, several require structured pathways for commercialisation, financing and wider adoption. Him CONNECT has been conceptualised as a collaborative ecosystem where innovations meet enterprise, and research outcomes are aligned with viable business models and policy support mechanisms.
The 24 innovators participating in the event represent premier institutions across the country. These include IIT Guwahati, IIT Roorkee, IIT Jodhpur, IIT Jammu, IIT Ropar and IIT Mandi; CSIR institutions such as CRRI and IHBT; Central Agricultural University Imphal; NIT Silchar and NIT Arunachal Pradesh; SKUAST K; University of Kashmir; TERI Guwahati; Kumaon University; and G B Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment, among others.
The technologies on display span critical sectors relevant to the Himalayan ecosystem and mountain communities. These include water security solutions, climate adaptation technologies, waste to wealth innovations, sustainable construction materials, renewable energy systems and nature based livelihood models. The objective is to enable pilot deployments, attract funding channels and foster long term partnerships among researchers, start ups, industry and development organisations.
Key innovations include eco friendly road construction technologies suited to mountainous terrain, treated wastewater solutions 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 tailored for Himalayan settlements and yak milk cottage cheese processing technologies that enhance value addition for pastoral communities.
By aligning scientific research with investment and policy frameworks, Him CONNECT aims to strengthen climate resilience and green growth in ecologically sensitive regions. The initiative also reflects India’s commitment to solution oriented climate leadership and South South cooperation by offering replicable models for other mountain and fragile ecosystems globally.
The Indian Himalayan Region, characterised by complex terrain, fragile ecosystems and rich biodiversity, functions as a life support system for millions residing in upland areas and in downstream regions. It plays a crucial role in regulating climate across much of Asia and holds deep cultural, spiritual and ecological significance.
In this context, the National Mission on Himalayan Studies continues to support targeted research and innovation addressing conservation, sustainable management of natural resources, biodiversity protection, water security, sustainable livelihoods and waste management. Over the past decade, the Mission has generated a diverse portfolio of technologies and field tested models. Him CONNECT is positioned as a strategic platform to translate these outcomes into scalable solutions that can drive sustainable development from the Himalaya to the world.
