Heidelberg anthropologist wins SES award for Nepal Himalaya expedition
Summary
Abdullah Rubaet Chowdhury of the University of Heidelberg has been named the 2026 Elodie Sandford Explorer by the Scientific Exploration Society for a year-long expedition in Nepal’s Mustang to document Bön ecological knowledge. The project will examine links between indigenous traditions, climate adaptation and biodiversity conservation.
Key Points
- Abdullah Rubaet Chowdhury has won the 2026 Elodie Sandford Explorer award from the UK-based Scientific Exploration Society.
- His year-long expedition will document indigenous ecological knowledge in Nepal’s Mustang, focusing on the Bön community.
- The project will use an Indigenous ethnophotography approach and aims to produce conservation indicators, participatory maps and a community-owned field film.
- Findings are planned to be shared with the UN Global Biodiversity Framework, the CBD Secretariat and Nepal’s Ministry of Forests and Environment.
