The Eastern Himalaya – land of Gods, of ancient mountain kingdoms, of icy peaks and alpine meadows – is like no other place on Earth. The life and landscapes of the region are as diverse, spectacular, and fragile as the mountains themselves. Even today, these mountains hold many mysteries: unnamed species, primeval cultures, and the promise of magical cures to heal all of humanity. Himalaya: Mountains of Life takes us on a journey of biocultural discovery – from the great canyon of Yarlung Tsangpo and the Siang Gorge in the east to the Kali Ganda ki Gorge in the west. Along the way, Himalaya: Mountains of Life demonstrates, in breathtaking imagery and words, why the preservation of this heritage is so important – not just for us, but for the future ofall life on Earth.
"Himalaya: Mountains of Life is a new coffee-table book published by the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), Asia's leading environmental nongovernmental organization. Just as a kaleidoscope never ceases to amaze with its grandeur of color and pattern, this 300-page, large-format book, packed with stunning images of landscape, wildlife, and people of th Himalaya, captivates the reader’s attention. [...] Himalaya: Mountains of Life has a clear message. By showcasing the rich variety of life in the Himalayan mountains, the authors also make the reader aware of threats to a unique natural and cultural heritage that the Himalaya embody. [...] The book goes on to seduce the reader further with spectacular plant and animal life in the Eastern Himalaya. Both sections are written around impressive images of plants and animals. [...] Himalaya: Mountains of Life makes a persuasive case for safeguarding the future of this unique nature-culture heritage."
– Shonil A. Bhagwat, The Open University, UK, Mountain Research and Development, 34(1):80-81. 2014.
"From the plains of the Brahmaputra River; the home of the Great indian Rhinoceros, up through the evergreen and coniferous forests to the alpine meadows, and finally to the sublime peaks and glaciers [...] Sandesh Kadur and Karnal Bawa have with this book made a heart-felt and major contribution to our knowiedge of the region."
– George Schaller, Panthera and Wildlife Conservation Society
"The text and photographs of this book capture the sheer beauty ofthe Himalaya at every scale, from the intricate detail of a moth’s wing to the sweep of vast alpine landscapes."
– Rohini Nilekani, Chairperson, Arghyam
"Through the combination of visual and textual material, readers will be able to understand the richness of Eastern Himalayan life and the importance of conserving it – both for its own sake and because it collectively forms the basis for continued human existence."
– Peter Raven, Missouri Botanical Garden