New Delhi, Aug 31: Damu’s Heritage Dine, a fine-dining experience set in a centuries-old Monpa home in Chug Valley, has won the prestigious International Tourism Award 2024 for employing and upskilling local communities.
The venture, a part of the WWF India’s broader conservation efforts in West Arunachal, aims at preserving traditional Monpa architecture and cuisine while supporting local livelihoods.
Operated by a women-led self-help group (SHG) under the Arunachal Rural Livelihood Mission, and in collaboration with the Tawang district administration, the restaurant emphasizes the use of locally sourced, forest-based ingredients, promoting both biodiversity and economic sustainability.
Damu’s Heritage Dine stands as a model for the successful integration of cultural preservation and economic development, setting a benchmark for similar initiatives across the region.