AkzoNobel Goes Extra Mile to Help Residents of World’s Highest Motorable Village

Residents of three remote villages in India are literally on top of the world after more than 100 homes and several buildings of cultural significance were protected with products supplied by AkzoNobel.

The unique “Let’s Colour” project was staged in Komic (the world’s highest village reachable by a motorable road); Hikkim (home to the world’s highest post office); and Langza (where marine fossils older than the Himalayas have been found).

Situated more than 15,000 feet above sea level (around the same height as the base of Mount Everest), the villagers – who are mostly Tibetan Buddhists – endure winter temperatures that regularly dip below -25°C. Over the course of four months, 20 painters used more than 10,500 liters of the company’s Dulux Weathershield range to ensure longer lasting protection for the tribal communities.

“This is more than a ‘Let’s Colour’ project, it’s a celebration of human spirit and the enduring power of paint,” says Rajiv Rajgopal, chairman of Akzo Nobel India Limited. “It also demonstrates that our ambition has no limits, symbolizing our commitment to painting the future for communities anywhere in the world.”

The three villages are located in the Spiti Valley, a high-altitude cold desert region of the Himalayas in the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. Each one has a number of buildings that are integral to their culturally identity, and many were part of the project, including a 14th century Tangyud monastery (one of the oldest in the world).

A local artist also painted a series of purposeful murals – reflecting Buddhist culture and celebrating native species such as the snow leopard – which are designed to help boost tourism by creating a more colorful and inviting environment. The main colors used throughout the project were white (symbolizing purity), blues (for universal compassion) and reds (for blessings).

“We’re extremely proud to harness the transformative power of paint to uplift communities and inspire positive change,” adds Rajgopal. “Whether it involves rejuvenating the timeless Blue City appeal of Jodhpur and keeping homes cooler in the blistering heat, or safeguarding villages on top of the world from extreme sub-zero winters.”

AkzoNobel’s global “Let’s Colour” program was launched in 2009. To date, more than 100 million people in 46 countries have benefited from over 3,000 projects, using in excess of two million liters of paint.