Institutions

Himalayan Cultural Heritage Foundation (HCHF)

The Himalayan Cultural Heritage Foundation promotes the unique culture of the Himalayas by working directly with the different mountain communities and strengthening and supporting community based institutions. HCHF is a registered community-based, nongovernment organization, devoted to reviving endangered and dying knowledge and skill bases through multi level training programme and creating linkages with contemporary community needs and advancing the role of folk traditions such as music, theatre, dance, oral recitals, festivals etc which reflect and promote the mountain legacy of the Himalayas. Founded by Dr Sonam Wangchok in 2009 with a group of local scholars and social workers interested in Himalayan cultural heritage HCHF has developed a memory bank of traditional practices and beliefs which highlight the unique relation between human beings and their mountain environment. HCHF promotes the local languages & literatures of Himalayas which have been the medium for studying Himalayan cultural heritage and also provides opportunities for youth from the region to explore and promote their culture through traditional and contemporary mediums. HCHF conducts workshops, heritage talks and documentary films for tourists and students, awareness programme with villagers, School Children, Army and monastic communities to promote understanding of linkages between the mountain environments and the cultures that have arisen therein.

Contact
Himalayan Cultural Heritage Foundation (HCHF)
Lonpo House, Near Leh Palace, PO Box 105, PO Leh Ladakh - 194101 (J&K)

Website:www.heritagehimalaya.org

Source: Email Discussion with Dr Sonam Wangchok

Contributed by: Prarthana, CEE Ahmedabad