Film 2nd Place, Dechen Droker: Churpi, The Taste of Tradition

Churpi by Dechen Droker - 2nd Place Winner (Film Category)** Dechen Droker comes from the Monpa Tribe of Arunachal Pradesh and is a Green Hub alumna from the 8th batch (2024–25). After her fellowship, she received support from Further and Beyond and Green Hub to document the traditional knowledge of churpi-making in her village. She comes from a family where this way of life is deeply rooted—her sister is a cow herder, and her grandmother was one too. Growing up around them has helped her understand and value their traditions. She wants to continue working towards preserving the culture and traditional practices of her Monpa community. Dechen chose to make a film about traditional churpi-making because, with modernization, many people in her village are slowly moving away from this practice. It is a tradition that has been part of their lives for generations, but today it stands at the edge of being forgotten. Through this film, she wanted to document the process so that future generations can watch, learn, and carry forward this knowledge. More than just a process, it holds the skills, stories, and way of life of her people. This work connects to sustainable tourism through local festivals and daily life. During festivals like Torgya and Gorsam Kora, many tourists visit to experience Monpa culture. Community members sell local products and traditionally made dairy items like churpi, butter, and other homemade foods—all eco-friendly and made using sustainable methods practiced for generations. Tourists also come for village tours to experience their food, culture, traditional costumes, and natural environment, witnessing a lifestyle closely connected to nature and sustainability. As one of our judges noted: "What stayed with me most about Churpi was its quiet confidence. The film doesn't try too hard to announce itself, and that restraint becomes one of its biggest strengths. The cinematography feels incredibly observant and patient—at many moments it genuinely felt as though the camera had simply been placed within the space and life unfolded naturally around it. That sense of honesty and stillness was beautiful to experience." Through her film, Dechen highlights how traditions and daily practices are already rooted in sustainability and how they can support responsible tourism while preserving culture.