Welcome to Himalaya Calling

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As the Himalayan region grapples with rapid ecological, social, and economic transformation, the wisdom embedded in indigenous cultures—rituals, performance traditions, spiritual ecologies, and artisanal practices—offers resilient alternatives to dominant development models. This session invites papers, presentations, and creative submissions that explore how cultural heritage in the Himalayas contributes to sustainable livelihoods, ecological conservation, social cohesion, and intergenerational knowledge transfer. We particularly welcome interdisciplinary contributions that foreground local voices and propose models of community-based innovation rooted in tradition. The session aims to foster dialogue between researchers, practitioners, policy actors, artists, and youth working at the intersection of culture and sustainability in the Himalayan context.

• To highlight the role of indigenous knowledge in natural resource management
• To promote culture-sensitive approaches to sustainable development in Himalayan villages
• To address threats of cultural erosion, tourism pressure, and market-driven change
• To foster dialogue between academics, community leaders, and policymakers
• To build frameworks that protect identity, language, and heritage while advancing SDGs

• Academics and researchers in anthropology, sustainability, sociology, and
• development studies
• Local practitioners, artisans, and community leaders
• Artists and performers working with Himalayan themes
• NGOs and social entrepreneurs promoting cultural resilience
• Students and youth leaders involved in grassroots cultural documentation
• Policymakers or educators working on curriculum, tourism, or community planning