TERI celebrates 50th Anniversary with a landmark event in Guwahati, fostering sustainable development, climate action, and community empowerment
Guwahati, 25 November, 2024: The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) commemorated its 50th Anniversary with a remarkable event held today in association with Balipara Foundation in Guwahati, Assam. The celebration gathered leading experts, policymakers, and stakeholders to reflect on TERI’s transformative contributions to sustainability and climate action over the past five decades. The event highlighted the institute's pioneering work across environmental sustainability, energy efficiency, and climate resilience, showcasing its unwavering commitment to fostering a sustainable future.
The anniversary celebrations kicked off with a formal Inaugural Session, which set the tone for a day filled with enriching discussions and thought-provoking insights on how India, particularly the Northeast region, can address some of the most pressing environmental challenges. The session began with Dr Vibha Dhawan, Director General, TERI, welcoming the distinguished guests, including Her Royal Highness Queen Diambi Kabatusuila, Elikia Hope Foundation Democratic Republic of Congo; Dr Ravi Kota, IAS, Chief Secretary, Government of Assam; Mr Ranjit Barthakur Founder & President, Balipara Foundation, Assam and Dr Bidyut Chandan Deka, Vice Chancellor of Assam Agricultural University (AAU).
In her opening remarks at the event, Dr Vibha Dhawan, Director General, TERI, said, “TERI is working towards energy security and assisting the government in developing various policies towards sustainable development. The Northeast centre has created ample opportunities of a multistakeholder approach to addressing local and national issues.” Further, she emphasized the importance of biodiversity hotspots and how a country like Congo is leading in increasing this wealth of the planet Earth.
During the inaugural session, the distinguished guests highlighted the vital role of collaboration among government, industry, and civil society in advancing the region’s sustainable development goals.
Emphasizing the role of think tanks like TERI, Dr Ravi Kota, IAS, Chief Secretary, Government of Assam in his special address, said, “An organization like TERI can bring a lot of collaboration on board to walk together with government, and to ensure the state moves forward. The trajectory of growth in the last 10 years has been fast, and for this to happen energy is required. To meet the needs of urbanization and a growing population we need to work in a collaborative manner.”
“Sacred, is a part of a living ecosystem,” was the profound statement made by Her Royal Highness Queen Diambi Kabatusuila, Elikia Hope Foundation Democratic Republic of Congo in her special address on the occassion. Highlighting that issues of environment are a cultural issue and, how we relate to environment is different, she underscored, “People need to go back to sources, culture and indigenous knowledge to solve the current issue.”
Dr Bidyut Chandan Deka, Vice Chancellor of Assam Agricultural University (AAU), acknowledged TERI’s commendable contribution in the field of agriculture. “The success of TERI’s nano fertilizer is seen in the enhanced quality of rice. Under the carbon credit project being implemented by TERI, we are targeting 20 million trees that would help provide dividend to farmers.”
Mr Ranjit Barthakur Founder & President, Balipara Foundation, Assam, extended his congratulations to TERI for its 50 years of selfless work. He highlighted, “There is a need to do away with the monoculture practices as these are harmful to ecosystems. The journey of growth of civilization has been revolutionary. The future of humanity is to focus on ecological revolution which several countries like China have already started work on.”
During the vote of thanks, Dr Dipankar Saharia, Senior Director, TERI, highlighted how TERI’s work in all agro climatic zones of the country is laying a foundation of a rich knowledge heritage. “This will be further promoted through the Centre for Himalayan studies that TERI is planning to set up in partnership with the govt of Assam. NEC is working towards improvement of agricultural and horticultural crops, while developing new and improved technologies so that it should reach the masses.”
The event also featured a film screening that showcased TERI’s 50-year journey, highlighting the institute’s leadership in tackling environmental issues and driving impactful solutions across India and globally.
The Inaugural Session was followed by panel discussions, focusing on critical issues in sustainable development and climate resilience. The first session, ‘Climate Resilience: A Pathway for Sustainable Development’ discussed the key strategies needed for building climate resilience in the region by Mr Ranjit Barthakur; Ms Laya Madduri Secretary, Government of Assam; Ms Archana Chatterjee, IUCN India; Mr Rizwan Uz Zaman, Assam Climate Change Management Society; and Ms Suruchi Bhadwal Director, TERI. Highlighting on a bottoms up approach, Ms Laya Madduri, said, “Policy has to come from the top after taking inputs from the bottom.” She sought TERI's support in designing and implementing targeted schemes and financing strategies under the "Green Growth for a Greener Assam" initiative.
The second session, ‘Leveraging Carbon Financing Mechanisms for Enhancing Livelihoods and Promoting Forest Conservation Activities’, explored innovative solutions to improve livelihoods through carbon financing, with contributions from Dr JV Sharma, Senior Director, TERI; Mr Rajendra, IFS, CCF, Assam Forest Department; Mr Ashwin Shailaja, Manager, Gold Standard; and Mr Ivan Zhimomi from Nagaland. Mr Zhimomi said, “Balipara Foundation and TERI are supporting development of capacity building workshops and making local people aware of the importance of Biodiversity. By providing adequate trainings through livelihood and employment generation programmes (under Carbon finance projects) Habitat restoration and rights of individuals are safeguarded.”
‘Ecosystem Restoration through Community Engagement’ took center stage in the third session, emphasizing the importance of local communities in driving sustainable ecosystem restoration. Discussions were led by Mr John Borgoyary, UNDP North East; Dr Dipankar Saharia, Senior Director, TERI; Dr Jagannath Ambagudia, TISS- Guwahati; Ms Nandita Hazarika, SGP-India; and Dr Carmo Noronha, Secretary, Bethany Society; where Mr John concluded by saying that ecosystem restoration through community engagement is a powerful approach and the Small Grants Programme highlights it with example from the grassroots.
In addition to these impactful panel sessions, the event featured the screening of a Project Movie Teaser and the Felicitation of OTBL Campus Impact Challenge Winners, recognizing outstanding efforts in sustainability led by youth and academic institutions where the Campus Impact Awards were awarded to Swahid Peoli Phukan College, Namti for the first position, Tezpur University, Napaam for the second prize and Assam University, Silchar for the third position by Dr Vibha Dhawan, Director General, TERI; Dr Banwari Lal, Senior Director, TERI; Dr Dipankar Saharia, Senior Director, TERI; and Dr Livleen Kahlon, Associate Director, TERI.
A crucial panel discussion on the Role of Media in Achieving India's NDCs and Long-Term Net-Zero Emissions Goal by 2070 took place in the afternoon, in between Dr Dipankar Saharia, Senior Director, TERI; Mr Mrinal Talukdar, Pratidin Time; Mr Sivasish Thakur, Assam Tribune; Ms Mubina Akhthar; Ms Durba Ghosh, Chief of Bureau, PTI; and Dr Rathin Barman, Zonal Head, Wildlife Trust of India, discussed the pivotal role the media plays in advancing the national climate agenda.
The event was covered by Pratidin Time as media partner.