Bissel Building, Room 417, 140 St George St, University of Toronto
Tuesday, February 6, 10:30 am – noon
As India’s first “mixed” World Heritage site, the Khangchendzonga National Park was recognized by UNESCO for both its natural and cultural significance. The listing — meant to be a recognition of “deep cultural meanings and sacred significance” — was celebrated by the government, local officials, and the tourism industry. But where are the people who called the KNP their home? This seven-month long investigative research revealed a complicated story of Buddhist and other forest dwellers being displaced, bureaucratic control, and tourism driven heritage management. This talk will explore the impact of UNESCO World Heritage program in Sikkim, and examine the role of Forest, Environment and Wildlife Management Department in forest and cultural heritage management. Aadil Brar will also discuss the Forest Rights Act of 2006 in context of Sikkim and India in general.
Aadil Brar is an international freelance journalist and a National Geographic Young Explorer. His articles have appeared in the Diplomat Magazine, The Northeast Today, the Asian Pacific Memo among other publications. Aadil holds a bachelor’s degree in anthropology from the University of British Columbia, and is based in Toronto, Canada.
This talk is part of the Himalayan Borderlands research project at the University of Toronto.
