Seela Lepcha

Seela Abigail Lepcha is a documentary filmmaker and community conservationist from Pakyong, Sikkim, working at the intersection of indigenous storytelling and climate action. As Project Lead at Sungsa Lee, she uses visual media to preserve and amplify the knowledge and lived experiences of the Lepcha community. Her journey began with the Green Hub Fellowship and deepened through the Keystone Foundation Fellowship, shaping her approach to community-led conservation and storytelling.

Seela focused on documenting climate impacts under her NYCC Project, in Dzongu, North Sikkim, an area increasingly affected by landslides, flash floods, and extreme monsoons. She trained local youth in photography, videography, and oral history, enabling them to document climate change, cultural resilience, and indigenous knowledge in their own languages. Collaborating with village Panchayats, youth leaders, and local organisations, she strengthened community ownership over climate narratives.

Lepcha has created multiple documentaries and received recognition for her film on seed conservation at CMS Vatavaran film festival. She has also made a documentary with The Habitat Trust on the series “Stories from the Ground”, and with Royal Enfield to produce storytelling projects for Sungsa Lee. By positioning storytelling as a tool for advocacy and cultural preservation, Seela ensures that indigenous voices remain central to climate conversations while inspiring youth-led action and intergenerational learning.