Ladakh Project
Local Futures’ founder Helena Norberg-Hodge first went to Ladakh in 1975, when the region was opened to tourism and “development”. She found communities and a place-based agrarian culture that – despite scarce resources and a difficult climate – had sustainably met the Ladakhis material and psychological needs for hundreds of years.
The lessons learned from this thriving culture – and from the social and ecological devastation that followed as Ladakh was opened up to the global economy – inspired her to start Local Futures. We have continued our work in Ladakh ever since.
Ladakh Project
Local Futures’ founder Helena Norberg-Hodge first went to Ladakh in 1975, when the region was opened to tourism and “development”. She found communities and a place-based agrarian culture that – despite scarce resources and a difficult climate – had sustainably met the Ladakhis material and psychological needs for hundreds of years.
The lessons learned from this thriving culture – and from the social and ecological devastation that followed as Ladakh was opened up to the global economy – inspired her to start Local Futures. We have continued our work in Ladakh ever since.
Recent and ongoing projects
Our Ladakhi team is focusing on relocalizing food systems and reviving traditional practices. In collaboration with indigenous organizations and the local government, we host workshops and dialogues on food, farming and traditional knowledge, promote more responsible tourism, and produce short films on the major issues facing Ladakh today.
Earth Building
This summer we partnered with local enterprise Earth Building to organize a workshop to restore a historic house in the village of Chuchot, using only natural local materials. Earth Building, led by Stanzin Phuntsog and Samyuktha, has been working to reinstill respect for earthen building within Ladakh, against the trend towards unsustainable construction methods and materials.
Earth Building
This summer we partnered with local enterprise Earth Building to organize a workshop to restore a historic house in the village of Chuchot, using only natural local materials. Earth Building, led by Stanzin Phuntsog and Samyuktha, has been working to reinstill respect for earthen building within Ladakh, against the trend towards unsustainable construction methods and materials.
Gathering on Khunak
In December 2022, we hosted a 2-day residential workshop with the aim to create a platform for young Ladakhis to vent their concern about the socio-economic and cultural changes in Ladakh and to discuss what can be done about it. A full report will follow soon.
The workshop was featured on the news channel 24×7 (Hindi spoken). Watch here →
Gathering on Khunak
In December 2022, we hosted a 2-day residential workshop with the aim to create a platform for young Ladakhis to vent their concern about the socio-economic and cultural changes in Ladakh and to discuss what can be done about it. A full report will follow soon.
The workshop was featured on the news channel 24×7 (Hindi spoken). Watch here →
This program helps visitors to Ladakh become aware of their impact on the region, and offers guidelines for culturally, economically and ecologically responsible behavior.
From June to October, daily screenings of our award-winning films 'Ancient Futures' and 'The Economics of Happiness' take place at the Women´s Alliance Centre in Leh, followed by a lively discussion.
40 Years in Ladakh
We’ve been working on a wide range of projects, from theater productions and radio show to Ladakhi language schoolbooks.
Regularly we’re hosting interactive workshops for Ladakhi youth and tourists and in 2019 we’ve organized a 2-day international conference looking at the different notions of “progress” and co-published a book ‘Dhontang – Food in Ladakh’.
40 Years in Ladakh
We’ve been working on a wide range of projects, from theater productions and radio show to Ladakhi language schoolbooks.
Regularly we’re hosting interactive workshops for Ladakhi youth and tourists and in 2019 we’ve organized a 2-day international Economics of Happiness conference looking at the different notions of “progress” and co-published a book ‘Dhontang – Food in Ladakh’.
In Ladakh and elsewhere in India, the built environment is increasingly dominated by structures that required...
Transnational corporations have been spectacularly successful in their profit-driven quest to hook the world on junk food...
Today, there exists what in my estimation is an unprecedented moment for altering the course of human history. The hopes and dreams...
The industrial-capitalist-technological system is characterized by perpetual growth through excessive production, relentless...
Ladakh – high on the Tibetan Plateau at the northern extreme of India – is the place we call home. The vast majority of Ladakhis...
The documentary Ancient Futures: Learning from Ladakh (John Page, Chris Breemen, Helena Norberg-Hodge...
One morning during breakfast, my family started talking about new policies of the government towards “Progress” to...
I returned to my village in Ladakh when the Prime Minister announced the first lockdown in late-March. I ended up spending the...
Prior to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was believed that globalisation would lead to development...
A week before the announcement of the Janata [public] Curfew slated for March 22, 2020, I spoke with a 43-year-old...
The scene is a classroom in Leh, Ladakh, twelve thousand feet up in the western Himalayas. A young teacher stands...
Why do traditional societies break down upon their first sustained contact with the modern world? The easy answer...
For many, the rise of the global economy marks the final fulfilment of the great dream of a 'Global Village'. Almost...
Watch our short videos produced by our Ladakhi team
Celebrating Nas – this video expresses why nas is so important to Ladakhi culture.
Traditional Harvesting – showcases traditional harvesting in the remote village of Gya in Eastern Ladakh.
Young Farmers in Ladakh – highlights the importance of local knowledge and traditional skills for young farmers.
