International Conference – ILFMS 2026

Shaping a greener future 🌱
NLU Tripura & University of Engineering & Management, Kolkata present an International Conference on sustainable legal and management pathways for North East India 2026. (ILFMS 2026)

The joint international conference hosted by National Law University Tripura and University of Engineering & Management Kolkata marked a significant academic milestone, advancing a multidimensional framework to address sustainable development, environmental governance, and climate change in Northeast India.

The conference commenced with an exceptional keynote session featuring eight distinguished speakers—Prof.(Dr.) S. Shanthakumar (Director, Gujarat National Law University, Gandhinagar), Prof.(Dr.) M. K. Ramesh (Former Vice-Chancellor (I/C), National Law School of India University, Bangalore), Prof.(Dr.) Manoj Kumar Sinha (Vice-Chancellor, Dharmashastra National Law University, Jabalpur), Dr. Sumanta Chakrabarti (Registrar, Maharaja Bir Bikram University, Agartala), Dr. Eghosa Ekhator (Associate Professor, University of Derby, United Kingdom), Dr. Jean-Claude N. Ashukem (Senior Lecturer, Oliver Schreiner School of Law, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa), Prof.(Dr.) Ishita Chatterjee ( Head, Department of Applied Psychology, University of Calcutta), and Soumik Gangopadhyay (Professor, Department of Business Administration, IEM Kolkata). Their thought-provoking addresses collectively set a compelling intellectual foundation, seamlessly blending constitutional, institutional, global, and interdisciplinary perspectives, including insights on environmental rights, ESG frameworks, and the psychological dimensions of climate resilience.

Spanning ten technical sessions and nearly 100 research presentations, the conference fostered rigorous and insightful deliberations. Participants critically examined systemic governance gaps, particularly the limitations of centralized legal frameworks in addressing the Northeast’s unique ecological and cultural context. Empirical discussions highlighted that less than 2% of national CSR funding has reached the region over the past decade, alongside alarming patterns of forest degradation. The marginalization of indigenous knowledge systems despite their proven ecological value as well as the underrepresentation of women and tribal communities, emerged as pressing concerns. Emerging issues in data governance and the role of artificial intelligence in environmental regulation also featured prominently in the discourse.

The conference culminated in a set of forward-looking and impactful recommendations, emphasizing the need for participatory, region-specific legal frameworks, formal recognition of climate refugees, integration of traditional ecological knowledge, gender-inclusive policymaking, and strengthened climate education. Above all, the deliberations underscored the importance of sustained interdisciplinary collaboration in shaping resilient and inclusive environmental governance for the Northeast and beyond.