NMHS Him-CONNECT-2026

Theme 01: Climate-Resilient Infrastructure Development

The Him-CONNECT initiative under the National Mission on Himalayan Studies (NMHS) highlighted innovative research and technologies aimed at building climate-resilient infrastructure across the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR). Experts from leading research institutions presented cutting-edge solutions addressing challenges such as landslides, disaster-resilient housing, sustainable road construction, and advanced environmental monitoring systems.

The following research presentations demonstrated practical innovations and scientific approaches that can help strengthen infrastructure resilience in the Himalayan region while promoting sustainable development.

1. Predictive Modeling of Rainfall-Induced Landslides in Kamand Valley – Dr. Varun Dutt, IIT Mandi, Himachal Pradesh
2. Unmanned Underwater Vehicle to Measure Micro-Environment in Rivers – Dr. Subashisa Dutta, IIT Guwahati, Assam
3. Eco-friendly Road Construction Technologies – Dr. Siksha Swaroopa Kar, CSIR-CRRI, New Delhi
4. Sustainable Road Pavements using Geosynthetics – Dr. G. Bharath, CSIR-CRRI, New Delhi
5. Disaster Resilient Housing Techniques – Dr. Aditya Singh Rajput, CEVA, IIT Ropar, Punjab
6. Seismic Assessment of Masonry Structures – Dr. Sanjay Chikermane, IIT Roorkee, Uttarakhand

These contributions were made possible through the collaboration of several esteemed institutions, including IIT Mandi, IIT Guwahati, CSIR-CRRI New Delhi, IIT Ropar, and IIT Roorkee. Their participation strengthened the exchange of knowledge and innovation focused on sustainable infrastructure development in the Himalayan ecosystem.

The Him-CONNECT initiative, organized under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India and facilitated by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) during WSDS 2026, aims to connect Himalayan innovations with startups and industry, helping bridge the critical gap between research laboratories and real-world applications.