Laurent Pordié, Rolex Laureate, 2000

Tibetan medicine has been practised for more than 1,000 years in Ladakh, in India’s far north. The very survival of this complex system of healing, ritual and belief — known as Amchi medicine — was threatened by the 20th century’s huge social changes. But over the past six years French anthropologist and ethno-pharmacologist Laurent Pordié has led a campaign that will help ensure Ladakhis continue to benefit from Amchi medicine for generations to come.