Highlighting India’s living heritage, UNESCO and Royal Enfield showcase The Great Himalayan Exploration at UN House
Ahead of International Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) Day on October 17, UNESCO, the United Nations in India, and Royal Enfield jointly celebrated the living traditions of the Indian Himalayan region through a special showcase of The Great Himalayan Exploration at the UN House, New Delhi.
Launched in 2022, the initiative documents and safeguards the cultural knowledge and practices of Himalayan communities. Traversing 11 geographies including Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Manipur, Tripura, Nagaland, Assam and North Bengal, the project has recorded more than 100 ICH practices and collaborated with over 250 communities. A four-part docuseries on the initiative, produced by National Geographic, is now available on JioHotstar.
The evening included screenings from The Great Himalayan Exploration, featuring a short film on the revival of Mon-Shugu papermaking in Arunachal Pradesh and another on traditional wool spinning and weaving in Ladakh. These stories underscored the importance of preserving living cultural practices and their connection to the natural environment.
Shombi Sharp, UN Resident Coordinator in India, emphasised that the cultural traditions of Himalayan communities embody the principles of sustainable development. “Safeguarding living heritage is essential to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals and building a more inclusive future for all,” he said.
Tim Curtis, Director and Representative, UNESCO Regional Office for South Asia, noted that intangible heritage must be viewed as a dynamic expression of identity. “Intangible Cultural Heritage is constantly recreated by communities in response to their environment, their interaction with nature and their history,” he said, describing the project as an example of how cultural preservation can strengthen resilience and cohesion.
Bidisha Dey, Executive Director of Eicher Group Foundation, observed that The Great Himalayan Exploration connects local artisans and storytellers with new audiences, creating awareness and appreciation for Himalayan heritage among younger generations.
A fireside conversation featuring Sharp, Curtis, and Dey, along with community representatives Dorji Chhoijom and Tashi Dolker, explored the links between living heritage, climate change, and sustainable livelihoods. The panel highlighted how documentation and storytelling can strengthen identity and foster resilience within remote mountain communities.
The event also saw the release of the second edition of Royal Enfield’s Sustainability Journal (2024–25), featuring field narratives, photography, and reflections from the Himalayas. Additionally, the organisers announced the second edition of Journeying Across the Himalayas, a festival celebrating Himalayan culture and creativity, scheduled to take place from December 4–10, 2025, at Travancore Palace in New Delhi.
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