On request of the Goba (village head) of Digar, Nubra, the members of the Heritage Committee of the Ladakh Buddhist Association visited the heritage sites in the village, especially the ones damaged by recent road construction and encroached by individuals. While introducing the ‘LBA Heritage Guideline” to the community, the convener, Heritage Committee Dr. Sonam Wangchok, highlighted the different values of the heritage sites. He strongly appealed that while restoring the monuments, people strictly follow the heritage guidelines, and all the GCM members, who are also members of the LBA Heritage Committee, are responsible for safeguarding heritage sites in their respective villages.
The chairman of the committee, Gyen Thupstan Paldan, spoke in length about the significance of Buddhist monuments and why they should be preserved and restored. He also urged people not to use modern materials, especially cement, to restore monuments because it destroys their archaeological and historical values. He also highlighted the consequences of damaging religious monuments, blocking circumambulation paths, and disrespecting the religious values associated with the monuments.
Er.Wangyal Tsering underlined the need of preserving heritage sites and stressed the value of maintaining cultural assets for future generations. He also gave an explanation for not restoring historical monuments with contemporary materials like cement. Speaking at the event, Prof. Tashi Dawa also discussed rules and regulations pertaining to heritage sites on a national and international level. He urged people to respect monuments, particularly those which are more than hundred years old. Thupstan Tundup, member of Heritage committee also shared his opinions with the village community.
The committee members were earlier briefed by the Goba of Digar about the wealth of historical sites in Digar village as well as the difficulties he has in maintaining and safeguarding them. The Committee Chair, Gyen Thupstan Palda, handed the LBA Heritage Guideline to the GCM members of Digar and Khema Khyungru. The members visited several heritage sites, particularly the contentious ones and resolved the issues.
Additionally, the members of the Heritage Committee visited the Tangyar village and interacted with the villagers in the presence of village members. The members appreciated the villagers for restoring the wall paintings of Gurgon Gonpa by involving experts from Shesrig Ladakh and the Himalayan Cultural Heritage Foundation. Gyen Thupstan Paldan gave a detailed explanation of the importance of Buddhist monuments.
The LBA Heritage Guideline was recently launched through a press briefing and is being handed over to the GCM members of LBA.