2 hrs ago

Kumik Named Ladakh’s First Heritage Village During Festival

Kumik is a small village in the Zanskar Valley.

It has old houses, sacred places and traditional ways of farming.

People there have also preserved important Buddhist writings for many years.

The village has now been named Ladakh’s first Heritage Village.

This means its living traditions and historic places will receive special recognition.

The announcement was made by Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena during a festival.

Saxena also visited Sheela Waterfall nearby.

He asked officials to improve facilities and make the waterfall safer and easier to visit.

He also called for studying rock check dams to help protect water supplies and farming.

Key facts

Heritage designation: Kumik was declared Ladakh’s first Heritage Village.
Announcement: The declaration coincided with the Ladakh Zanskar Festival 2026.
Cultural significance: Kumik preserves traditional houses, sacred spaces, agricultural practices, age-old customs and Buddhist textual traditions.
Manuscripts: The village is known for Kanjur manuscripts and other Tibetan Buddhist materials.
Waterfall upgrades: Planned amenities at Sheela Waterfall include toilets, eateries, seating, lighting and safety measures.
Water security: Officials were directed to explore at least four rock check dams over the Zanskar River.
Local concerns: Residents raised issues involving encroachment, poor upkeep, blocked public access and regional water shortages.

thestatesman.com · 3 hrs ago