The Office of the Assistant Director, Tourism Department Leh, successfully organized a one-day Rock Art Tour to Chiling on November 26 to introduce tour operators to Ladakh’s rich and ancient rock art heritage. Designed exclusively for Leh-based tour operators, the initiative aimed to highlight the importance of safeguarding Ladakh’s petroglyphs by fostering awareness, appreciation, and thoughtful integration of rock art into tourism practices.

The day began with participant registration at the Office of the Assistant Director, Tourism Leh. A total of 25 tour operators joined the tour, accompanied by Khadim Hussain, Deputy Director, Archives; Dr. Tashi Ldawa, Associate Professor, EJM College; Viraf Mehta, anthropologist and rock art expert; Assistant Tourism Officer Stanzin Chondol; and staff from the Tourism Department.

At Sangam, the first stop, ATO Stanzin Chondol welcomed all participants, highlighting the objectives of the tour, the cultural and historical significance of Ladakh’s rock art, and the need to integrate preservation efforts into tourism to safeguard these ancient sites for future generations.

This was followed by an in-depth session by Dr. Tashi Ldawa, who provided a comprehensive overview of the history of rock art in Ladakh. He emphasized that petroglyphs serve as invaluable historical records and form an integral part of Ladakh’s cultural heritage. Khadim Hussain, Deputy Director, Archives Department, also addressed the group, stressing the importance of preserving petroglyphs and outlining the legal frameworks under which they are protected.

Participants then visited 6–7 major petroglyph sites, including Choksti, Chutsan, and Waru, where they observed engravings dating back to the Stone and Bronze Ages.

Renowned anthropologist Viraf Mehta delivered an insightful presentation on the Rock Art of Ladakh at Chiling village. Participants also toured the Serzo Museum, owned by Mr. Ishey Namgial and family, which showcases their long-preserved tradition of crafting hand-beaten metal utensils—an enduring example of Ladakh’s artisanal heritage. Following the museum visit, participants took the Constitution Day pledge in Chiling, reaffirming their commitment to the values and principles enshrined in the Constitution of India.

Tsering Angchuk, representing the All Ladakh Tour Operators Association, expressed gratitude to the Tourism Department for organizing this first-of-its-kind initiative. He acknowledged the valuable contributions of the resource persons and emphasized the collective responsibility of the tourism industry to promote awareness of rock art conservation. The tour concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Fatima Bano, Accounts Assistant, Tourism Department, who expressed appreciation to all participants and encouraged them to incorporate the knowledge gained into their professional practices.