Leh-Kargil Set To Expand Its List Of ASI Protected Sites thenorthlines.com

The Ministry of Culture is preparing a list of monuments in Leh and Kargil to be preserved by the Archaeological Survey of India and given protected status, minister Prahalad Patel said on Thursday. The region presently has 14 ASI protected sites — 12 in Ladakh and two in Kargil. The sites which are likely to be included are a set of three 50-feet statues in Kargil, which are a major attraction for tourists from countries where Buddhism is practiced, and a 100-meter stretch in Leh lined with rock formations.

“We are preparing a list to expand the number of sites that are currently under ASI. Over the last two days, we have received feedback from stakeholders and we have realized that there are many sites of historical importance that have not come under the radar of the ministry so far. We plan to prepare the list by November 1.