Foundation for Living Knowledge

Foundation for Living Knowledge An initiative to uphold the values of indigenous practices, local knowledge & collective resilience

Belonging vs. Owning​
24/12/2025

Belonging vs. Owning

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The mountains are not angry; they are tired of being ignored!
30/08/2025

The mountains are not angry; they are tired of being ignored!

Disaster Development in Himachal Pradesh!
06/07/2025

Disaster Development in Himachal Pradesh!

Do join and make a change.
02/07/2025

Do join and make a change.

Honoured to share that our work case study on traditional water systems in the Himachal Pradesh region was shortlisted b...
04/06/2025

Honoured to share that our work case study on traditional water systems in the Himachal Pradesh region was shortlisted by UNESCO.

Together with my colleague Ritika Khanna ( ), we presented our work at the Chengdu International Festival of Intangible Cultural Heritage in China.

We showcased how traditional systems like Bawadis/Baolis contribute to climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction. I also had the privilege to join the UNESCO Workshop on Intangible Cultural Heritage and Climate Change, focused on safeguarding living heritage as a climate response.

Grateful to UNESCO Asia-Pacific Centre of Education for International Understanding (APCEIU), CRIHAP (International Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Asia-Pacific Region) for providing this opportunity, and also thankful to the People's Government of Chengdu, China for warm hospitality.

We continue to work on such living knowledge systems and building resilient communities at Foundation for Living Knowledge - FOLK. If this resonates with you, let’s join hands—we’d be happy to collaborate.



We were honored to contribute to a vital conversation on heritage reparations in the face of climate change, hosted by L...
19/05/2025

We were honored to contribute to a vital conversation on heritage reparations in the face of climate change, hosted by Leiden University’s Grotius Centre for International Legal Studies.

Our Director Madhusudan Singh and colleague Ritika Khanna presented on how climate change threatens cultural heritage and the urgent need for reparative frameworks that center community voices and resilience.

This interdisciplinary workshop, co-organized by Sophie Starrenburg and Gül Aktürk, brought together experts in law, anthropology, disaster studies, and more. It highlighted a critical gap—existing legal tools often fall short of addressing the deep-rooted damage to heritage caused by climate change.

Thank you to all the organizers and participants for creating space for this much-needed dialogue.

Please circulate!
28/02/2025

Please circulate!

Adapting to a Shifting Snowline in Himachal Pradesh: Observations from Lahaul, Spiti, Manali, and KulluOver the past few...
27/02/2025

Adapting to a Shifting Snowline in Himachal Pradesh: Observations from Lahaul, Spiti, Manali, and Kullu

Over the past few years, we have ve been working closely with communities in Keylong (Lahaul & Spiti) and around Manali and Kullu, witnessing firsthand how changing weather patterns are reshaping our Himalayan landscape. According to recent data from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), annual rainfall in Keylong has increased by over 15% in the last decade. Meanwhile, the snowline is moving higher, with some studies indicating a shift of 20–30 meters every decade.

Local residents around Manali and Kullu vividly recall when snow blanketed the peaks for nearly four months each year. Today, many say it lasts just 20 days to a month, making it harder to plan for crops and tourism seasons. These shifts affect water availability, disrupt traditional farming cycles, and pose new risks from flash floods and landslides.

In response, our work with these communities focuses on community-led climate adaptation, such as rainwater harvesting, water-resilient crop planning, and strengthening local disaster preparedness. By combining local knowledge with scientific insights, we aim to create sustainable solutions that can help protect both livelihoods and the fragile mountain ecosystem.

If you’re also involved in addressing these challenges or have experiences to share, we would love to connect. Let’s collaborate on innovative strategies that keep our Himalayan home resilient—despite the rising snowline and shifting weather patterns.

Empowering youth for heritage resilience! Madhusudan Singh, Director of FOLK, conducted an engaging session with NSS vol...
01/02/2025

Empowering youth for heritage resilience!
Madhusudan Singh, Director of FOLK, conducted an engaging session with NSS volunteers at Kullu College on Disaster Risk Management of Cultural Heritage. Together, we explored ways to safeguard our rich traditions and historic sites against natural hazards. "

Empowering youth for heritage resilience!Madhusudan Singh, Director of FOLK, conducted an engaging session with NSS volu...
01/02/2025

Empowering youth for heritage resilience!
Madhusudan Singh, Director of FOLK, conducted an engaging session with NSS volunteers at Kullu College on Disaster Risk Management of Cultural Heritage. Together, we explored ways to safeguard our rich traditions and historic sites against natural hazards. "

Winter Fires in Himachal: Will We Keep Reacting or Finally Prevent Them?Between November 1st and January 11th, Kullu dis...
31/01/2025

Winter Fires in Himachal: Will We Keep Reacting or Finally Prevent Them?

Between November 1st and January 11th, Kullu district alone witnessed 74 fire incidents:
48 domestic fires and 26 forest fires
43 houses, 23 cowsheds, 1 dhaba, 1 resort, 3 shops, and a temple destroyed
4 human lives and 27 livestock lost

Yet, only Tandi’s major fire got media attention. But what about the smaller incidents? If we look at the bigger picture, this is not just a seasonal problem—this is a disaster unfolding every winter.

Why Do Fires Happen Every Year?

The reasons are not new:

Wooden houses built close together – fire spreads rapidly.

Storage of dry hay and firewood inside homes – essential for winter survival but highly flammable.

Traditional wood stoves (Tandoors) for heating – a common source of fire accidents.

No road access for fire trucks in remote areas, no fire extinguishers, no water tanks – making response slow and difficult.

We talk about the Sendai Framework, which emphasizes risk reduction and preparedness over just response. Yet, in 2025, we are still only reacting to fires instead of preventing them.

How Much More Do We Need to Lose Before We Act?

Why is there no major initiative for fire prevention in Himachal?
Why is fire safety not integrated into rural housing policies?
Why are we only responding to disasters, not preventing them?

It’s time for action:
Community-led fire safety programs
Better access to water and firefighting resources
Fire-resistant materials and safer housing policies

Himachal’s lives, homes, and heritage are at stake. Will we finally act before the next fire breaks out?

At FOLK, we can initiate a project with preventive measures and open for the collaboration!

Wrapping up a rewarding three-day training on Disaster Risk Management of Cultural Heritage in Kullu. It was a privilege...
24/01/2025

Wrapping up a rewarding three-day training on Disaster Risk Management of Cultural Heritage in Kullu. It was a privilege to lead this workshop as the resource person and engage with an incredible group of participants, including volunteers, temple custodians, government officials, college representatives, and tourism professionals.

The discussions on Kullu's rich cultural heritage, the mapping of heritage sites, and identifying associated risks were both insightful and inspiring. The dedication and enthusiasm of the participants were truly commendable.

A heartfelt thanks to DDMA Kullu for organizing this impactful workshop and to Nitish Barole for his valuable support as a co-resource person. Looking forward to more such opportunities to protect and preserve our cultural legacy.








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Kullu
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