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The Ladakh administration declared 23 heritage sites as Protected Monuments on 30 July 2026, under the Jammu and Kashmir Ancient Monuments Preservation Act.
The list includes petroglyph clusters, rock carvings, ancient caves, monasteries (gompas), forts, palaces, and inscriptions, such as the Petroglyph Site at Sharnos and the Maitreya Buddha Rock Carving at Shey.
Other notable sites include Tingmosgang Fort, ancient caves at Saspol, Stongday Gonpa, Sumoor Fort, and rock inscriptions at Yourbaltak in Kargil.
The declaration allows regulated conservation, scientific documentation, and prevention of encroachment around the notified sites.
Petroglyphs are rock engravings made by prehistoric or early historic communities, valuable for studying ancient trade and settlement patterns. Gompas are Buddhist monasteries widespread across the Trans-Himalayan region.
Simple Analogy: Petroglyphs are ancient rock 'graffiti' left by early humans; gompas are the region's spiritual and community centres.
GS Paper I > Indian Culture, Heritage
Static GK > Heritage & Monuments
A rock engraving or carving made by prehistoric or early historic communities