New Delhi, 14 October 2025 – In celebration of International Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) Day on 17 October, UNESCO, UN India, and Royal Enfield hosted a special showcase of The Great Himalayan Exploration at UN House, spotlighting the living heritage of Himalayan communities through immersive storytelling and cultural documentation.
Launched in 2022, The Great Himalayan Exploration is a multi-year initiative by Royal Enfield and UNESCO to document and safeguard ICH practices across 11 Himalayan geographies. To date, the project has engaged over 250 communities and documented more than 100 living heritage traditions, ranging from Mon-Shugu paper-making in Arunachal Pradesh to traditional wool weaving in Ladakh.
The evening featured screenings from the National Geographic docuseries now streaming on JioHotstar, followed by a fireside conversation with UN Resident Coordinator Shombi Sharp, UNESCO South Asia Director Tim Curtis, Eicher Group Foundation Executive Director Bidisha Dey, and community representatives Dorji Chhoijom and Tashi Dolker. The dialogue explored the role of living heritage in climate resilience, identity, and sustainable development.
“India’s Himalayan communities remind us that sustainable development begins with respect for people, culture, and nature,” said Shombi Sharp, UN Resident Coordinator in India. “Safeguarding living heritage is essential to advancing the SDGs and building a more inclusive future.”
“Living heritage must be understood as dynamic, not static,” added Tim Curtis, UNESCO South Asia Director. “The Great Himalayan Exploration honors the voices of Himalayan communities and ensures their traditions continue to inspire future generations.”
“This project brings together rider-researchers, artisans, and storytellers to create meaningful connections,” said Bidisha Dey, Executive Director, Eicher Group Foundation. “We’re committed to sharing these stories in ways that resonate with younger audiences.”
The event also marked the launch of the 2024–25 edition of Royal Enfield’s Sustainability Journal, and the announcement of the second edition of Journeying Across the Himalayas, a multidisciplinary festival celebrating Himalayan culture, craft, and creativity. The festival will take place from December 4–10, 2025 at Travancore Palace, New Delhi, under the theme “Ours to Tell.”
