The Soul Traveller Podcast: Guardians of the Himalayas ft. Ghanshyam Kalki Pande

Location: Nainital, Uttarakhand
Series: The Soul Traveller Podcast

Episode Overview

Nestled in the serene landscapes of Nainital, The Soul Traveller Podcast sits down with Ghanshyam Kalki Pande—a celebrated research professional, award-winning author, and a true son of the mountains.

With nearly 15 years of dedicated work in the Indian Himalayas, this episode goes beyond a conventional interview. It is a journey into the living heart of the Himalayas, where ecology, livelihoods, culture, and adventure intersect. Ghanshyam shares insights drawn from years of fieldwork, research, and community engagement, offering a rare and grounded perspective on what it truly means to be a guardian of fragile mountain ecosystems.

About the Guest — Ghanshyam Kalki Pande

Ghanshyam Kalki Pande is a distinguished research and development professional working at the intersection of mountain ecology and sustainable development in the Indian Himalayas.

He is the recipient of the prestigious Hallbar Hall of Fame Award for his contribution to the FAO publication “Indigenous Peoples’ Food Systems”, which was recognised as the Best in the World Sustainability Publication (2021) by the Alfred Nobel Museum, Sweden.

With expertise spanning eco-tourism management, community development, natural resource management, and citizen science, Ghanshyam brings together rigorous research and creative communication. As a skilled documentarian and designer, he translates complex environmental realities into compelling narratives that inspire action and responsibility.

Guardianship Through Knowledge and Community

At the core of Ghanshyam’s work lies a deep respect for the intrinsic relationship between Himalayan communities and their landscapes. He speaks about sustainable livelihoods, Indigenous knowledge systems, and the pressures faced by mountain societies amid climate change, tourism expansion, and ecological fragility.

Drawing from years of hands-on experience, he reflects on how conservation cannot succeed without community participation—and how responsible travellers can become allies rather than burdens on the mountains.

Key Themes Discussed in This Episode

• The Soul of Eco-Tourism: What sustainable tourism in the Himalayas truly looks like when it supports local communities and ecosystems
  
  

• Citizen Science: How travellers and residents can actively contribute to environmental research and conservation
  
  

• Award-Winning Research: The story behind his contribution to the FAO’s globally acclaimed work on Indigenous Food Systems
  
  

• Livelihoods & Landscapes: The deep connection between Himalayan people and their natural environment
  
  

• Adventures with Purpose: Personal stories from over a decade of fieldwork, wildlife studies, and trekking programme coordination
  
  

Why This Episode Matters

As climate change and unregulated tourism place increasing pressure on mountain ecosystems, this episode offers timely reflections on responsible travel, ethical development, and community-led conservation.

Ghanshyam Kalki Pande’s journey reminds us that the Himalayas are not just destinations—they are living systems sustained by people, knowledge, and care. This conversation is essential listening for travellers, researchers, policymakers, and anyone who believes in sustainability rooted in local wisdom.

About The Soul Traveller Podcast

The Soul Traveller Podcast documents conversations with researchers, travellers, environmentalists, artists, and changemakers whose work connects landscapes with livelihoods and purpose.

Each episode is a journey—across places, ideas, and lived experiences—seeking deeper understanding of the world we inhabit and our responsibility towards it.

Listen, reflect, and travel responsibly with The Soul Traveller.