Abstracts:The Himalayas are a repository of a most valuable heritage, that is at once a treasure that enriches the region but under severe threat of erosion, and an opportunity for the development of its people that however lies untapped. The erosion of the rich cultural and biological heritage of the Himalayas needs to be addressed, by reinstating this heritage in modern Himalayan lives. Towards this, it is important to build socio-economic value into the various heritage forms, transforming them into income generating activities, building these intrinsic strengths into engines of growth for the Himalayan region. The paper highlights the role of Heritage Based Enterprise clusters in this regard.