11/04/2026
The Amity Institute of Travel & Tourism, Kolkata, in collaboration with the Institution’s Innovation Council (IIC), Incubation Innovation & Entrepreneurship Cell, and the Entrepreneurship Club, Amity University Kolkata, organised a thoughtfully curated workshop titled “Reimagining Heritage Economies: Safeguarding Living Heritage through Food Systems, Ecology and Sustainable Tourism” on 8th April 2026 at the E-Block Seminar Hall, in observance of World Heritage Day. Anchored in the global theme that foregrounds the urgency of protecting living heritage in contexts of conflict and ecological vulnerability, the workshop moved beyond conventional narratives of preservation to engage with heritage as a living, adaptive system rooted in community, ecology, and everyday practice. The event commenced with institutional acknowledgements and a symbolic inauguration through plant watering, reflecting the ethos of regeneration and continuity, followed by the opening address by the Head of Institution Dr. Vandita Hajra, who positioned the workshop within broader discourses of sustainability, cultural resilience, and tourism’s ethical responsibility. The presence of distinguished practitioners—Ruth and Sudip Chattopadhyay of Paushtik Life, Sourav Mukherjee of Kolkata Society for Cultural Heritage, and Soham Chakrabarty of Calcutta Capsule—enabled a rich convergence of perspectives spanning grassroots entrepreneurship, biodiversity conservation, cultural revival, and experiential tourism design. Through deeply engaging and interactive sessions, the speakers highlighted critical concerns such as the erosion of indigenous agricultural diversity, the role of seed sovereignty and rural knowledge systems, the importance of reviving local art forms and cultural expressions, and the power of storytelling and interpretation in shaping meaningful tourism experiences. Concepts such as api-tourism, community-led festivals, heritage walks, and “consume to conserve” frameworks were presented not merely as innovations but as necessary responses to ecological imbalance and cultural fragmentation. The workshop also foregrounded the role of responsible tourist behaviour, urging a shift from passive consumption to mindful engagement with destinations. With active participation from around 100 attendees including students, faculty, and research scholars, the event fostered critical reflection, interdisciplinary dialogue, and a deeper understanding of tourism as a vehicle for social equity, environmental stewardship, and cultural continuity. The proactive involvement of the IIC further strengthened outreach, student engagement, and post-event visibility, ensuring that the workshop functioned not only as an academic exercise but as a platform for innovation-driven thinking and collective responsibility. The session concluded with a formal vote of thanks by Dr. Bidisha Roy - Assistant Director - Incubation, Innovation, Entrepreneurship Cell & Professor in Charge- Entrepreneurship Club , leaving participants with a renewed sensitivity towards the fragile yet enduring nature of living heritage and the role of tourism in sustaining it meaningfully.
