Reading Himalaya
Connecting People. Creating Opportunities. Generating Meaningful Change in the Eastern Himalaya

About Reading Himalaya

Connecting people, Creating opportunities, generating meaningful Change in the Eastern Himalaya
Reading Himalaya is an independent Research & Policy Consultancy focusing on society, environment, development, and politics of the Himalayan region. Grounded in rigorous research, Reading Himalaya offers thought leadership and data-driven perspectives, tailored specifically to the unique challenges of the Eastern Himalaya.

Our Aims

Led by researchers with over a decade of experience across academia, industry, and the nonprofit sector in India and abroad, Reading Himalaya provides a platform to Connect, Create, and contribute to meaningful Change in the Eastern Himalaya.

High-quality Research

Timely, relevant, and accessible to all

Create opportunities

Build livelihoods through research

Empower Local Scholars

Strengthen research capacity in the region

Mission & Vision

Connect. Create. Change.
Reading Himalaya provides a platform to connect Himalayan life and society through interdisciplinary research, create sustainable opportunities for researchers, and support work that drives meaningful change for communities across the Eastern Himalaya.

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Reading Himalaya is an all-women-led consultancy focused on development, politics, and the environment in the Eastern Himalaya. Founded by researchers from Sikkim, Darjeeling, and Kalimpong, we are deeply committed to research-driven outcomes that strengthen and support communities, organizations, and institutions in the region.

At Reading Himalaya, we believe that the best social science research—methodologically rigorous, socially relevant, and accessible—can expand knowledge, empower communities, and advance equity and social justice. We are equally committed to fostering knowledge production in and about the region, especially by emerging scholars from the Eastern Himalaya.

What We Do

Research & Policy Consultancy
Research Leadership and Regional Policy Engagement
Research Capacity Building & Training Services

As regional experts with a deep understanding of the unique challenges and dynamics of the Eastern Himalaya, we bring extensive experience in data collection, analysis, and the dissemination of research findings. Our expertise spans a wide range of sectors, allowing us to provide high-quality, independent research and policy support tailored to the specific needs of each project. We offer comprehensive services across the entire research and policy life cycle—starting from the conceptualization and design phase, through the planning and execution of fieldwork, to the delivery of final reports and actionable policy recommendations.

Our approach is rooted in a commitment to delivering thorough and insightful outputs that directly inform decision-making processes. Whether the project is large-scale or small, we pride ourselves on providing end-to-end solutions that are customized to the scale and objectives of each initiative.

In addition to collaborating with various organizations to address their research and policy needs, we also lead independent research initiatives and policy analyses focused on pressing issues in the Eastern Himalayan region. As thought leaders in this space, we take the initiative to engage with critical regional challenges that often remain under-researched and underrepresented. We actively collaborate with researchers, practitioners, and organizations from across the Eastern Himalaya to ensure our work is grounded in local knowledge and expertise.

Our efforts aim to shed light on these important topics and drive informed discussions and solutions. To explore more of our thought leadership and expertise, we invite you to delve into our Policy Analysis Series, which offers comprehensive insights and analyses on the region’s most pressing issues.

We are committed to generating interest in research and building the capacity of young scholars to produce high-quality work. We offer comprehensive training services and workshops for college and university students, covering all aspects of research and writing—from research methodology and conducting fieldwork to academic writing and publications.

Our training services are open to anyone looking to enhance their research skills and competencies. We provide tailored training packages designed to meet the needs of different age groups, career stages, and sectors, ensuring a personalized learning experience for each participant.

Policy Analysis Series

Through our Policy Analysis Series we take an in-depth look at policies affecting the Eastern Himalaya. Our aim is to make policies, their meaning, and impacts, accessible to practitioners, researchers, students and citizens.
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Current Projects

The Eastern Himalayan Foundation, based in Darjeeling, has been at the forefront of youth-focused initiatives in education and career development. In 2022, it released the State of the Youth Report...
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Shared Futures Conclave 2025

Shared Futures: Dialogue Across Research, Policy, and Practice in the Sikkim-Darjeeling Himalaya

Gangtok, Sikkim | 4–5 December 2025
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Shared Futures Conclave 2025

Shared Futures: Dialogue Across Research, Policy, and Practice in the Sikkim-Darjeeling Himalaya

4–5 December 2025
Gangtok, Sikkim
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About the Team

Get in Touch

We are always ready to help you and answer your questions

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Reading Himalaya

A DG Reading Room Resource and Education Foundation initiative
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