• Mudland Climate Lab
Climate Justice
Nomadic Culture on the Himalayan Frontline
Nomadic Culture on the Himalayan Frontline is a multimedia story that explores the lives of nomadic communities in the Himalayas as they face the growing impacts of climate change. This project, under the Climate Justice section of Mudland Climate Lab, documents the Bakarwal Indigenous community and their deep connection to the land and the challenges they endure in a rapidly changing environment, advocating for the protection of their culture and rights.
High in the PirPanjal mountain range of the Lower-Himalayan region of Jammu and Kashmir, Bakarwali nomadic communities have sustained their way of life for centuries, living in harmony with the harsh yet beautiful landscape. Nomadic Culture on the Himalayan Frontline is a multimedia project that delves into the lives of these resilient communities, documenting their intimate relationship with the land and their profound knowledge of its rhythms. However, as expansive development, conflict and climate change reshapes the landscape, these communities find themselves on the frontline of environmental and cultural loss.
This project, presented through an immersive multimedia format and falling under the Climate Justice section of Mudland Climate Lab, captures both the beauty of the nomadic way of life and the existential threats it faces. As global temperatures rise, the Himalayas, often referred to as the “Third Pole,” are experiencing rapid glacial melt, unpredictable weather patterns, and the degradation of ecosystems. These changes disrupt the delicate balance that nomadic herders have long depended upon, jeopardising their ability to sustain their livelihoods.
Nomadic Culture on the Himalayan Frontline highlights the importance of indigenous knowledge in understanding and responding to climate change. The project advocates for the protection of indigenous and nomadic cultures, whose traditions and expertise in land stewardship are invaluable in mitigating the effects of climate change. It also brings attention to the vulnerability of these communities, who are not only facing environmental challenges but are also marginalised in broader political and social landscapes.
By documenting the struggles and resilience of these Himalayan nomads, the story calls for urgent action to safeguard their rights and culture. It emphasises that the global climate crisis is not just an environmental issue but one that threatens the existence of entire ways of life. This project serves as a tribute to the rich cultural heritage of the Himalayas and a call to protect the people who are most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
