Archive · 30 Jul 2026
23 Ladakh Sites Declared Protected Monuments
Ladakh is a region in India with many old and beautiful places like caves, forts, and carvings on rocks.
The governor, Vinai Kumar Saxena, said that 23 of these places are now officially protected by law.
This means the government will look after them, fix them if they get damaged, and stop people from building on them.
The goal is to keep these sites safe for future generations and to let tourists learn about Ladakh’s history.
The law that protects them is called the Jammu and Kashmir Ancient Monuments Preservation Act.
By protecting these places, Ladakh hopes to keep its culture alive and share it with the world.
Lt. Gov. Vinai Kumar Saxena approved a notification declaring 23 Ladakh sites as Protected Monuments under the Jammu and Kashmir Ancient Monuments Preservation Act.
The sites include petroglyphs, rock carvings, ancient caves, gompas, forts, and palaces across Ladakh.
The declaration grants statutory protection, allowing the administration to conserve, prevent encroachments, and regulate activities that could damage the sites.
The initiative aims to preserve Ladakh’s heritage, promote responsible tourism, support research, and raise public awareness.
Notified sites include Sharnos petroglyph, Shey Maitreya Buddha carving, Tingmosgang Fort, Saspol caves, and many others listed in the notification.
- Who
- Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena
- What
- Declared 23 heritage sites in Ladakh as Protected Monuments
- When
- Thursday
- Where
- Ladakh, Union Territory of India
- Why
- To safeguard Ladakh’s archaeological, historical and cultural heritage and provide statutory protection
- Notification date
- Thursday
- Number of sites
- 23
- Act
- Jammu and Kashmir Ancient Monuments Preservation Act
- Authority
- Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh
- Purpose
- Legal protection and conservation of heritage sites