Damu’s Heritage Dine, a fine-dining experience set in a centuries-old Monpa home in Chug Valley, has won the prestigious International Responsible Tourism Award 2024 for “Employing and Upskilling Local Communities.”
This venture is part of WWF India’s broader conservation efforts in Western Arunachal, aimed at preserving traditional Monpa architecture and cuisine while supporting local livelihoods. Operated by a women-led Self Help Group (SHG) under the Arunachal Rural Livelihood Mission, and in collaboration with the District Administration, the restaurant emphasizes the use of locally sourced, forest-based ingredients, promoting both biodiversity and economic sustainability.
Damu’s Heritage Dine stands as a model for the successful integration of cultural preservation and economic development, setting a benchmark for similar initiatives across the region.
