Q. You have founded the Himalayan Cultural Heritage Foundation (HCHF) and are also the convenor of the LBA Heritage Committee. Could you share with us about your work and what inspired you to work for the preservation of  Ladakh’s culture and heritage?

Being a part of HCHF and the LBA Heritage Committee, my work primarily focuses on conserving both tangible and intangible heritage. On the tangible side, we work to preserve centuries-old stupas, wall paintings at monasteries, and ancient arts and artifacts. For intangible heritage, we aim to revive and promote traditional cuisine, folk songs, sports, and musical instruments through cultural shows and festivals. Essentially, our efforts are concentrated on elements of heritage that are fading from society.

As for my inspiration, I have a background in Buddhist Studies, having completed my graduation, post-graduation, and PhD in the field. Earlier, there was an institution called NIRLAC (Namgyal Institute for Research on Ladakh Art and Culture), founded by the King of Stok, which was working on a project to document ancient artifacts and cultural heritage of Ladakh. While I was  working on a project in Ulm University, Germany, I was visiting Ladakh and the King asked me whether I can work on this project.

During this work, I traveled to various villages across Ladakh to document artifacts and heritage sites. I realized that many stupas and other historical structures were in poor condition and in urgent need of restoration and preservation. Interacting with local communities, I realized that people were deeply concerned about the loss of language, scripts, traditions, rituals, and other cultural practices. While the issues were evident, there was no dedicated effort to address them. I felt that someone had to step in to preserve and promote this rich heritage.

That experience made me decide not to return to Germany, but to dedicate myself to this work in Ladakh. Since then, I have been committed to restoring and safeguarding these age-old cultural treasures, giving my best to ensure that these traditions continue to thrive for future generations. 

Q. When we talk about the preservation and promotion of culture and heritage, how important is community involvement?

Community involvement is absolutely essential in heritage preservation. For example, I have personally restored more than 60 stupas across Ladakh without any external funding or assistance, and this was entirely possible because of active community participation.

My approach is to first raise awareness among villagers about the historical and cultural significance of these stupas or heritage sites. Once the community understands their value, they contribute raw materials such as clay, stone, and other resources, and actively participate in the restoration process. We provide expert guidance to ensure that the restoration preserves the original essence and cultural values, while the villagers carry out most of the work themselves.

This approach not only keeps the restoration costs low but also ensures sustainability. When the community is involved, they take ownership of the heritage, maintain it over time, and the cultural and spiritual values remain intact. In short, community participation makes heritage conservation more meaningful, effective, and long-lasting.

Q. Can you share with us some of the projects you have initiated?

I have had the opportunity to work on several significant projects across Ladakh. For instance, we  restored  Bodh Kharbu Monastery, which houses impressive wall paintings that had been damaged due to rainwater seepage from the roof. Other notable projects include the restoration of Trakkhung Khawochey at Spituk Farka, a stupa near Sumdha Monastery, the Lhakhang at Diskit Monastery, and the Stupa of Shara.

In addition to tangible heritage, we also focus on preserving intangible cultural heritage. We have trained local communities and initiated programs to revive traditional songs, dances, and sports such as polo and archery, as well as local culinary practices that were at risk of being lost in today’s world. Through these efforts, we aim to safeguard both the physical and living heritage of Ladakh for future generations.

Q. What aspects of Ladakh’s ancient culture and heritage do you feel are most at risk today?

Today, tangible heritage in Ladakh is at the greatest risk. The region is home to ancient monasteries, mosques, Imam Bargahs, and stupas, but modernization has brought a shift in mindset. People are often more attracted to new and modern infrastructure rather than valuing and maintaining these historic sites. There is a tendency to prioritize building new structures over preserving existing heritage.

In addition to changing attitudes, climate change poses a serious challenge. Harsh weather conditions, heavy rainfall, and temperature fluctuations are increasingly damaging these fragile structures. Without focused conservation efforts and community awareness, many of Ladakh’s invaluable heritage sites are at risk of deterioration or even being lost entirely.

The most important thing to understand is the distinction between conservation and restoration of heritage. Conservation focuses on preserving the original essence, values, and integrity of a heritage site, ensuring it remains unaltered and protected. However, today, in the name of conservation, many heritage sites are completely rebuilt or renewed.

When a heritage site is reconstructed in this way, its cultural, spiritual, historical and societal significance is often diminished. The aesthetic value and the sense of history embedded in the site are lost, and the authenticity that gives the place its meaning is compromised. This is why it is crucial to prioritize conservation over reconstruction, maintaining the original character and heritage of these sites for future generations.

Q. Does Ladakh have a policy to protect cultural heritage?

Having a policy for cultural heritage is extremely important, as it provides clear guidelines to ensure that heritage sites are preserved, promoted, and valued. Unfortunately, since Ladakh became a Union Territory, there are no formal guidelines in place for heritage protection. The absence of a dedicated heritage authority or committee has sometimes led to situations where stupas and other heritage sites have been blocked, damaged, or even relocated for individual interests.

We have approached the administration multiple times to emphasize the need for clear heritage guidelines. Recently, we wrote to the Cultural Secretary highlighting the importance of a formal policy. We were informed that while developing a comprehensive policy will take time, a committee will be formed in the meantime to oversee and safeguard Ladakh’s heritage.

Given Ladakh’s rich cultural and traditional legacy, it is vital to have such a policy or guidelines in place to ensure the protection, promotion, and sustainable preservation of its invaluable heritage.

Q. Are there any community success stories you would like to highlight?

Yes, there are several success stories that reflect the impact of community involvement in heritage preservation. In terms of restoration, we have worked on sites such as Bodh Kharbu Monastery, Trakkhung Khawochey at Spituk Farka, and Chomu Phu Gonpa Diskit, which are now visible examples of heritage conservation in action.

Regarding intangible heritage, one notable example is the revival of traditional archery in Nubra Valley. During a festival in Sumoor, I organized an archery competition and discovered that only two teams existed in the entire valley—one from Taksha and one from Yarma. Through regular competitions and community engagement, the sport has now grown to include 40–50 teams, including women’s teams, across Nubra. This transformation has been incredibly encouraging and motivating.

Another success story is from Kargil, where the Mamani Festival, a traditional culinary festival, has been instrumental in reviving local cuisine. Through the festival, traditional foods are exhibited and prizes are awarded for the best dishes. Last year, we successfully revived around 32 traditional foods of Kargil, which are now being cooked and consumed in daily life. Seeing these traditions come back to life is deeply rewarding and reinforces the value of our work in preserving Ladakh’s cultural heritage.

Message to the Readers

Culture and heritage form the core of our identity. Today, many people express concern that our traditions and cultural practices are at risk of being eroded due to external influences, and there is a strong demand to safeguard them. However, I believe that individual action and active participation are essential for conserving and protecting our heritage. It is through these collective efforts that we can preserve the identity, wisdom, knowledge, and values embedded in our culture for future generations.