The Trans-Himalayan Cold Desert Cultural Landscapes of India

Speaker: Dr. K.C. Nauriyal, Shimla Circle, Archaeological Survey of India

Chair: Professor R.C. Agrawal
 

 

Rooted in Buddhism, the culture of the region is strongly affiliated with Tibet but traces of Indian influences make it unique. The difficult terrain and climate of the region have shaped the location and nature of settlements that are nestled in valleys near rivulets. In addition to the difficult living conditions, phenomena such as global warming and Himalayan glacier melting are adding to the challenges being faced by the community and threatening their whole way of life. The region has Outstanding Universal Values both of cultural and natural heritage property as defined by UNESCO for a World Heritage Site. As compared to similar property the world over, this is much larger in scale and demonstrates the confluence of two national cultures – Indian and Tibetan