‘Heritage Walk’ wrapped up with renewed call for cultural preservation

JASWANT GAUTAM

GANGTOK, : The 10-day-long ‘Heritage Walk’ workshop organized by Sikkim State Archives under Culture department concluded today with an insightful gathering of heritage experts, government officials and cultural enthusiasts. The workshop was a key feature of the Kuzu Cultural Festival commemorating 50 years of Sikkim’s Statehood.

The closing ceremony had the presence of Debashish Nayak, known as the “Heritage Man of Ahmedabad”, who is also the founder and former director of the Centre for Heritage Management at Ahmedabad University. Also present were Rim Dorjee Lepcha, chief engineer of the Culture department, Gary Chopel, chief town planner of Gangtok Municipal Corporation, renowned ecologist and heritage expert Usha Lachungpa, and several other dignitaries and resource people who have contributed to the discourse on heritage preservation.

The primary objective of the workshop was to foster greater awareness of Sikkim’s cultural legacy, which finds expression in its art, literature, rituals, and the vibrant traditions of its diverse ethnic communities. By integrating cultural education with community engagement, the initiative aimed to promote heritage tourism, explore opportunities for income generation linked to heritage assets, and strengthen efforts towards the preservation and conservation of tangible and intangible cultural heritage.

In his address, chief town planner Gary Chopel spoke about Sikkim’s built heritage and the imperative to document and protect these architectural treasures. He elaborated on the Cultural Mapping Resource Project, launched by the Culture department in 2003, which undertook the systematic identification and listing of sites of historical and cultural significance across the State.

Chopel presented a comprehensive visual and narrative overview of the evolution of the ‘Gumpa’ architectural style, monastic architecture intrinsic to the Himalayan region, as well as the indigenous forms of residential structures such as the ‘Kothi’ and other traditional Sikkimese homes that embody the architectural ethos of the State.

He further emphasized the role of the ‘Heritage Walk’ as a means to rekindle public interest in the architectural heritage of Sikkim. The curated walk featured heritage landmarks including the Raj Bhavan, Directorate of Handicrafts and Handloom, State Archives, White Hall and the Tsuklakhang Palace. Through these site visits, participants gained first-hand insights into the narratives embedded within these structures and their significance in shaping the cultural identity of Sikkim. Highlighting the urgency of conservation, Chopel noted that “heritage is always at war with time,” and stressed that the present moment is the most opportune time to act for its protection.