Department of Archives, Archeology and Museum, Ladakh in collaboration with Himalayan Cultural Heritage Foundation observed World Heritage Day at a Government Middle School at Heritage Border Village Hunderman Brok on April 18.

Executive Councilor for RD, Tourism, Culture and Heritage, LAHDC Kargil, Er Punchok Tashi was the chief guest. The EC lauded the efforts of the organizing committee for organizing the program in the heritage village. He highlighted the rich cultural heritage as the true identity of Ladakh.

Tashi appreciated the efforts of Muzzamil Hussain of Roots Ladakh for bringing Hunderman Brok on the tourism map of India and is now the must-visit place in Kargil for a tourist. He also appreciated the efforts of the villagers in promoting the village as a heritage site and helping in reaching out to the world.

EC Tashi added that LAHDC Kargil is working on preserving heritage sites like Chiktan Khar (Palace), Hunderman Brok, etc. so that maximum tourists are attracted which will help in employment generation in the district.

He said that cultural heritage is their priority and there is a need to create awareness among the younger generation about cultural preservation and conducting the program at GMS Brok and bring the students of Degree College Kargil to meet the requirement.

Scholars, historians, and researchers also participated in the program and emphasized the practice of the cultural values of Ladakh to preserve the region's cultural heritage.

Students from Degree College Kargil, historian, and author Mohammad Sadiq Hardassi, Assistant Professor GDC Kargil, Gulzar Hussain, Dr. Sonam Wangchuk, and Cultural Activist Anayat Ali Shotopa expressed their views on this occasion.

Registering Officer, Antiquities, Ladakh, Khadim Hussain spoke on the need to organize an awareness program to prevent damage to Heritage Sites. He talked about the J&K Heritage Conservation and Preservation Act and urged upon the people to help the department to identify heritage sites in Kargil.

Anayat Ali Shotopa said that an event to mark World Heritage Day was organized for the first time in Kargil at Qadimi Khankha Goma Kargil last year and this year for the second year in a row that too at Hunderman Brok.

Meanwhile, the villagers submitted a memorandum before the EC and requested for restoration of the water supply, posting of teachers in the school, and other issues.

EC Tashi assured the villagers to take up the matter on a priority basis. Later, certificates were distributed among the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd position holders of the Heritage Drawing Competition along with certificates among the students of GDC Kargil.

Later, a Heritage Tour was also organized in the village where the experts briefed the heritage location students and villagers about the importance of the preservation of such sites.