Mumbai, March 23 – Dr Sonam Wangchok, better known as ‘the heritage man’, delivered the Kaivan Mistry Memorial Lecture on the occasion of the Himalayan Adventure Festival 2025 in Mumbai. The event was organised by the Himalayan Club in B.N. Vaidya Auditorium, Raja Shivaji Vidyalaya, Dadar East, Mumbai, on March 23, 2025.

While speaking to the mountain lovers, including mountaineers, explorers, and academics, Dr Wangchok highlighted cultural and natural heritage conservation efforts, key challenges, and the need for urgent actions in Ladakh. “Ladakh’s heritage faces threats from modernisation, climate change, negligence and absence of heritage guidelines,” said Dr Wangchok.

Having spent the last two decades crusading for the conservation of tangible and intangible heritage of Ladakh in particular and the Himalayas in general, he shared experiences. “Although we have already lost many cultural assets in the name of modernisation and development, we still need to understand the values of cultural and natural heritage of the region and safeguard them from further destruction,” said Dr Wangchok.

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He also discussed how the mass tourism has a detrimental effect on the environment and culture of the mountains. He urged travellers and adventurers to show consideration for the indigenous way of life and the fragile mountain ecology. He emphasised that there are many sacred landscapes in Ladakh, such as sacred mountains, water bodies, groves and trees where locals go on pilgrimages to worship them. It is the responsibility of both residents and visitors from outside Ladakh to keep those landscapes pristine.

Dr. Wangchok also bemoaned the fact that, since Ladakh became a Union Territory in 2019, there are currently no heritage guidelines in place, which leads to the locals damaging many heritage sites for their own short-term gain and conveniences. 

While speaking on climate change, he said that lots of scientific study and research are being done by organisations and individuals, but at the same time, it is extremely important to document the indigenous knowledge and wisdoms to slow down the climate change.

“The impact of climate is very much felt, and it is becoming a challenge for preserving cultural heritage, as we have seen many built heritage sites, including monasteries and historical buildings, have already been damaged by heavy rain and flash floods,” said Dr Wangchok.

He also emphasized that with the destruction of built heritage both by the people and nature, the intangible heritage aspects such as folklores, skills, knowledge and traditions also get depleted. Even though change is inevitable, an understanding and appreciation of the culture, nature and its surroundings are necessary, Wangchok adds.

Besides several talks and presentations by the mountaineers, the festival also hosted several short films that offer a glimpse of the mountains and their wonders.

The Himalayan Club was founded in India in 1928 along the lines of the Alpine Club. The main aim of the club is to encourage and assist Himalayan travel and exploration and to extend the knowledge of the Himalaya and adjoining mountain ranges through science, art, literature and sport. The Himalayan Club’s outreach extends beyond mountaineering and exploration, as they also organise seminars, lectures and festivals highlighting culture, botany, geology and geography.