Cultural landscape and changing traditions in the Tons river basin, Uttarakhand Himalaya: an ethnographic study

Abstract The Tons River basin, an integral part of the Uttarakhand Himalaya, boasts a rich cultural landscape with a history dating back to the Mahabharata period. This study explores the cultural landscape and evolving traditions of the Tons River basin. Employing a qualitative approach, the study is empirical in nature and is based on extensive field visits conducted by the authors. A total of 64 people from eight villages were interviewed, out of which eight were priests – one from each village. The remaining participants were youths, elderly and experienced individuals. Furthermore, 12 of the interviewees were women. The field visits were carried out from 21 July to 30 July (a total of 10 days). The study reveals that the Tons River basin has a rich cultural heritage; however, traditional culture has been changing over time. The findings indicate that these changes are largely due to modern cultural influences introduced through tourism, both from within India and abroad. Additionally, tourism has a significant impact on local culture. The performance of folklore – songs and dances – at popular tourist destinations, along with the serving of local food and beverages, acts as a key driver in conserving the culture of the Tons River basin.