Himalayan heritage

The Himalayas present a very exciting and interesting field for undertaking research work in anthropology and allied disciplines. But unfortunately in comparison to the vastness of the Himalayas very little research work has so far been done in this formidable field. Not much is known about the survival strategies of the people of the Himalayas, their transhumance mode of life, the nature and process of their adaptation to the peculiar Himalayan ecology, the peculiar social system and stratification they have generated, their religion and the sacred complexes they have in their regions, the inpact of modernization, modern education, modern legislation, development works etc. on them, and so on. For these. reasons the Himalayas require redis covered from both macro and micro levels. Considering the strategic importance of the Himalayas studies on these regions, on the people and their culture are must.
This book is the outcome of such longfelt demand. A humble attempt has been made here to highlight the culture of different people living in the three sectors of the Himalayas: the Eastern Himalayas, the Central Hima layas and the Western Himalayas in order to provide our readers some scope to know the people of our Great Himalayas and their culture. The pre sent book includes studies from emi nent scholars who have long expe rience of the Himalayas and who have undertaken indepth studies among the people inhabiting these great moun tain ranges. Important research studies on various aspects of culture of the people from Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Darjeeling (West Bengal). Pithoragarh, Almora, Dehra Dun. Tehri, Pauri, Uttar Kashi and Chamoli (all Uttar Pradesh), Chamba, Kinnaur. Lahaul and Spit (all Himachal Pra desh), and Kashmirva Kargil and Leh (all Jammu and written by Indian and foreign scholars, have Increased the value, standard and Importance of this book.