Commissioner/Secretary, Tourism and Culture Department, UT Ladakh Kacho Mehboob Ali Khan assessed the possibility for identification, preservation, restoration, and development of amenities at various historical sites like rKilmarchey, Lankarchey, Sankoo, Karchaykhar, and Styangkung area on December 18.

At the rock carving site near rKilmarchey village, Commissioner/ Secretary directed the revenue authorities, Sankoo to check the status of the land around the heritage site so that proper demarcation is made to facilitate the preservation of the heritage site. He also highlighted the need to record the known history of Lankarchey area specifically regarding the Dogra invasion in 1834 and the battle which took place in & around Lankerchey. This can be ensured by recording the history of the area and showcasing it through the installation of signages at landmark sites of this historical invasion. The Department of Archives and Archaeology (Antiquities), UT Ladakh will coordinate with the revenue authorities. 

The Commissioner/Secretary also visited the historic Buddha Statue at Karpokhar and stressed the need to further enhance the aesthetics of the tourist facilities created by way of stone pitching of the viewing deck, proper lighting, installation of CCTV cameras, and painting of the railings that gel with the surrounding landscape. He stated that cleaning of the statue facade is being considered by the Culture Department, Ladakh in consultation with the Archaeological Survey of India/IGNCA. The issue regarding realignment/relocation of the road above the statue has already been taken up with the LAHDC, Kargil and the same shall be followed. 

He also visited the historic shrine of Islamic preacher Akhon Muhammad Shareef at Styangkung and stated that the site has been taken up for restoration under SDP as a heritage site. Efforts will be made to restore the original form as per the available record. He urged the local inhabitants to provide historical evidence/original photographs of the shrine to facilitate its preservation and development of amenities near the heritage site.

Councillor, Lankarchey, Ghulam Haider; BDC Chairperson, Sankoo Ghulam Mehdi; Under Secretary/OSD to Commissioner/Secretary, Muhammad Ali Tak; Executive Engineer (TDA, Kargil), Tsering Morup; Naib Tehsildar, Sankoo, Asgar Ali; Assistant Tourist Officer, Ghulam Rasool Lal besides other concerned officers accompanied the Commissioner/Secretary during the visit. 

Earlier, the Commissioner/Secretary held meetings with the Dy.GOC 8 Mountain Division and Commander, 121 Infantry Brigade, Kargil to discuss various matters aimed at the promotion of border tourism, development of war memorials, paragliding activities, joint events by the Tourism Department and Army for tourism promotion, and other related issues.