We are also currently making our own film which is in the pre-production stages.  It will be a 20-minute video on Sowa Rigpa, or 'Tibetan/ Himalayan Medicine'.  The film, tentatively entitled ‘Healing in the Himalayas’ will raise awareness about the ancient tradition of Sowa Rigpa, the high altitude plants used for medicine, and the importance of conserving these wild plants through sustainable cultivation and harvest.  We would also like to see it screened more widely so that we can share the knowledge as we feel it to be of global importance.

The purpose of the film

The Himalayas are more than just mountains.  They are unique ecosystems with immense biodiversity. The aim of the film is to raise awareness amongst tourists and locals highlighting the incredible biodiversity of the Himalaya, and the importance of conserving it.  Plants are disappearing due to a demand that exceeds production, and unchecked harvesting of wild plants by Indian Ayurvedic Pharmaceutical companies who are not trained in sustainable harvest.  These plants are a precious resource that must be preserved through conservation efforts that also respect local rights.  The medicinal properties of these plants are only just beginning to be researched by western medical science and already one plant from the Khumbu region has been found to be useful in treatment of Leukaemia.  Himalayan Medicine and the plants it draws upon make a unique contribution to our understanding of healing, alongside the great traditions of India and China.

The aim is to build appreciation of the immense knowledge of Sowa Rigpa Practitioners with respect  to the healing, conservation, and correct harvesting of wild plants; knowledge that spans the whole Himalaya, that has been passed down over 2,000 years.

The Banff Centre for Mountain Culture in Canada has provided us with some funding for the film.  Currently we are looking for additional funding to complete production.  We feel that it is of great importance to develop relationships with other organizations who are working in the area of conservation, non timber forest products, traditional medicine and eco tourism etc.