Platform unveiled at WSDS 2026 aims to bridge research, start-ups and policy to strengthen climate resilience in Himalayan and North-Eastern states.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) on Wednesday launched Him-CONNECT, a dedicated innovation platform designed to accelerate sustainable technologies emerging from the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR). The initiative was unveiled by Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav during the Silver Jubilee edition of the World Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS), hosted by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) at Taj Palace.
Addressing delegates, Yadav said Him-CONNECT has been conceptualised as a structured platform to convert research supported under the National Mission on Himalayan Studies (NMHS) into scalable, real-world solutions. He highlighted that the platform would strengthen collaboration between researchers, start-ups, entrepreneurs, investors, development agencies and policymakers, effectively linking science with society.
Bridging Lab Research and Market Deployment
Anchored under NMHS, which has backed over 230 projects across the Himalayan belt over the past decade, Him-CONNECT aims to close the gap between laboratory innovation, field-tested solutions and market deployment. The Indian Himalayan Region faces mounting climate risks, including landslides, glacial retreat, flash floods and ecosystem degradation, underscoring the need for region-specific, scalable technologies.
More than 30 technologies across eight thematic areas are being showcased under the initiative. These include waste-to-wealth solutions, climate-resilient infrastructure, innovative water management and treatment systems, agri-innovations, sustainable bio-resource utilisation, dairying innovations, processing innovations and green energy technologies.
Participating institutions feature leading research and academic bodies such as Indian Institute of Technology Mandi, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Indian Institute of Technology Ropar, Kumaun University, CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment and CSIR-Central Road Research Institute.
Among the key innovations are AI-enabled real-time landslide prediction systems, disaster-resilient vernacular housing technologies, low-cost seismic vulnerability assessment tools, plastic waste-to-graphene conversion, bio-resource-based regenerative healthcare solutions, solar-powered hydroponics using treated wastewater, and climate-resilient road construction technologies.
TerraZone Showcases Live Demonstrations
Him-CONNECT is being exhibited at TerraZone, the innovation and sustainability showcase at WSDS 2026. The platform offers live demonstrations, business-to-business interactions and policy dialogues to accelerate lab-to-market transitions.
Thirty organisations, including Environment Information, Awareness, Capacity Building and Livelihood Programme (EIACP) centres and projects supported under the United Nations Development Programme Small Grants Programme, are participating in the exhibition.
Focus on Climate Resilience and Circular Economy
The launch of Him-CONNECT aligns with the Government of India’s broader push to strengthen climate resilience, promote circular economy practices and enable inclusive green growth across Himalayan and North-Eastern states. By integrating research, entrepreneurship, finance and policy frameworks, the platform seeks to transform promising innovations into scalable models for sustainable mountain development.
Him-CONNECT will remain open to delegates and stakeholders at WSDS 2026 from February 25 to 27.