Tara Sharma is a founder and Director of Jungwa Foundation. She holds a Masters degree in History from Delhi University and has been working in the field of heritage conservation since 1994. Her work focusses on people centred approaches to the management and conservation of cultural heritage. She has previously worked as a Consultant to several national (Namgyal Institute for Research on Ladakhi Art & Culture, INTACH) and international institutions including UNESCO, ICCROM, ICOMOS, World Monuments Fund and Aga Khan Trust for Culture.
Our Mission
The Nature-Culture approach builds on the growing evidence that natural and cultural heritage are closely interconnected, and conservation of ecosystems and cultures depends on the integration of traditional wisdom of indigenous communities, their spiritual relation with land, along with contemporary sciences. This common grounding of both traditional and modern knowledge is also key to tackling ongoing socio-ecological changes, threats from climate variability and impacts of contextually inappropriate development.
The organisation aims to break the silos in nature and culture conservation, showcase overlaps, and build on multi-disciplinary and multi-stakeholder perspectives that are a true representation of the landscape and indigenous ways of life.
Established in 2018, under Section 8 of the Companies Act (2013), the Foundation has the following mandate
- To develop, promote and implement a conservation framework rooted in people, their cultures and the natural world they inhabit, to foster resilient communities and ecosystems.
- To conserve and promote cultural heritage in all its dimensions including both tangible and intangible expressions ensuring a continuity of practice by local communities.
- To develop and nurture practices for conservation and sustainable use of natural resources based on traditional management and ecological knowledge systems.
- To support communities combat climate change through integration of traditional knowledge systems with contemporary scientific practices.
- To promote and support backward/forward linkages including design development, training and capacity building and new markets explorations that strengthen local traditional economies, crafts and livelihood practices
- To promote the overall well being of communities by improving access to health and education services, clean water and sanitation
OUR TEAM
DIRECTOR
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Arjumand Rauf has a Bachelors of Science degree from University of Delhi, a Master of Science degree from Banaras Hindu University and a Master of Arts degree in Public Administration from Indira Gandhi National Open University. She joined Jungwa Foundation in 2025 as an Assistant Director and works with the Director in overseeing the Foundation’s projects in Changthang with a special focus on the Livelihoods project. Arjumand has a keen interest in scientific research and is spearheading several critical areas of research and documentation. Working with the team, she is also streamlining operations under the livelihoods initiative as the network of community weavers grows.
PROGRAMME OFFICER
Kunzang Dolma hails from Kyagar in Nubra, Ladakh and has been working in the NGO sector for over 25 years. After working with Namgyal Institute for People with Disabilities for several, she became a founding member of PAGIR (People Action Group of Inclusion and Rights). She has also worked previously with INTACH Ladakh Chapter. In 2018, she joined Jungwa Foundation as the Programme Officer. Her area of work focusses on extending the Foundation’s outreach through community mobilization and liaison with multiple stakeholders including governmental and non governmental institutions, cultural heritage custodians and youth. She spearheads the educational outreach initiatives with schools.
PROJECT COORDINATOR
Tsering Gurmet is a proud Changpa from Korzok in Changthang and is deeply committed to preserving his nomadic cultural legacy. He has previously worked with PAGIR and the Tso Moriri Culture Welfare Society. Tsering Gurmet was instrumental in launching the Foundation’s program in Korzok and heads the Foundation’s livelihoods program as its Project Cordinator. His knowledge on all aspects of Changpa life has guided various aspects of the Foundation’s research and documentation initiatives as well as coordinated the Foundation’s initiatives with the Korzok Monastery for the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage. He oversees all aspects of the livelihoods project from the procurement of wool from Changpa herders to its distribution among nomadic women spinners and weavers, designing and finishing of products.
MASTER WEAVERS
Tsering Angmo and Jigmet Lamo are the pillars of our livelihoods program leading design and innovation on the nomadic sked thags (back strap loom). From the Changpa community of Korzok, Angmo and Lamo have been weaving from a young age, having learnt the skill from their elders. Well versed in many of the traditional motifs woven by the Changpa, they engage with the creation of new designs rooted in their culture. They also lead the training programs being conducted by the Foundation to transfer new designs to the growing network of weavers in Korzok.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
TARA SHARMA
Heritage Professional with a Masters Degree in History from Delhi University
MAYA KAPOOR
Board of Directors member with a Master Degree in Psychology from Delhi University
SANGEETA BAIS
Conservation architect and member of the Board of Directors