From May 20th to 23rd, I visited the Research Institute of World’s Ancient Traditions, Cultures, and Heritage (RIWATCH) in Arunachal Pradesh to explore heritage and sustainability, focusing on traditional weaving in Northeast India. RIWATCH, a community-based organisation, embodies what could be seen as “7 Pillars of Sustainability and Heritage” with its museum, herbal gardens, documentation centre, centre for mother languages, Arogya center and facilities for scholars and researchers. My dual perspective as a researcher and someone exploring my heritage enriched my understanding of RIWATCH’s multifaceted approach. The visit underscored the importance of community engagement in heritage preservation and sustainability, positioning RIWATCH as a model for integrating traditional knowledge with contemporary sustainability efforts.

Heritage and Sustainability: Reflections of a Visiting Scholar at RIWATCH ( PDF )