Zanskar, June 2025 — Dr. Sonam Wangchok, founder of the Himalayan Cultural Heritage
Foundation (HCHF), conducted an extensive site visit to several significant heritage sites
across Zanskar, including major monasteries and nunneries. The visit was carried out in
response to an earlier request from the Hon’ble Executive Councillor of LAHDC Kargil, Shri
Phuntsok Tashi.

A key focus of the visit was the Dukhang (main assembly hall) of Phuktal Monastery, which
was recently damaged by falling rock from the roof of the cave. Dr. Wangchok carried out a
detailed on-site assessment of the structure. While he appreciated the temporary
restoration efforts currently underway, he emphasized the urgent need for a more
comprehensive and technically sound restoration of the Dukhang, citing multiple cracks and
unstable walls.

Dr. Wangchok warned that the monastery remains at high risk due to continuing threats of
rock falls from the cave roof, exacerbated by dampness caused by rain, snow, and
vibrations. He stressed that protection of the site requires immediate technical intervention
by expert engineers and conservation professionals. A detailed report will be submitted to
LAHDC Kargil shortly.

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As part of his heritage tour, Dr. Wangchok and his team also visited Kumik village at the
request of local residents. Expressing awe at the well-preserved traditional architecture,
water mills, reservoirs, stupas, and Mani walls, he remarked, “I am so happy to see such an
extraordinary example of a historic village in Zanskar that has remained untouched by
modern damage.”

He strongly recommended that Kumik be declared a Heritage village, noting the potential
for archaeological excavation and the establishment of a community museum that could
serve as a model for the region. HCHF will soon submit a formal proposal to the concerned
authorities.

During his visit to Zanskar, Dr. Wangchok also expressed concern over the lack of protection
for invaluable heritage sites such as the rock-cut statues of the Five Dhyani Buddhas in
Padum, which are not yet under national monument protection.

Additionally, he assessed the damaged Dukhang of Karsha Monastery and strongly
advocated for its structural assessment and restoration, emphasizing the need to involve
qualified conservation architects.

Earlier, Dr. Wangchok addressed the public and representatives of Zanskar at an awareness
programme organized by the Zanskar Buddhist Association (ZBS) and Ladakh Buddhist
Association (LBA) Leh. He made a heartfelt appeal to preserve ancestral heritage amidst the
rapid development taking place in Zanskar. He urged residents not to destroy traditional
agricultural lands for commercial construction like guest houses and shopping complexes,
describing them as “heritage that belongs to our future generations.”

While stressing the importance of the thousand-year-old Malakartse Stupa in Zangla, he
described it as a unique example of early Kashmiri art in Ladakh. He emphasized the need
for immediate restoration and preservation measures, terming it one of the most significant
heritage sites in the region.

He also educated attendees on the use of local materials in heritage restoration and
recommended following the guidelines prepared by the Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA)
when restoring Buddhist monuments.

Dr. Sonam Wangchok was accompanied by Ms. Sonam Dechen, Programme Coordinator at
HCHF, and Ms. Anshika Shukla, Media Expert and Intern at HCHF