J&K Heritage Under Watch: Gaps, Delays and Administrative Hurdles Shadow Monument Conservation
Srinagar, KNT: Jammu and Kashmir has a vast cultural heritage comprising ancient temples, forts, palaces, monasteries, mosques, shrines, archaeological sites, manuscripts and archival records, but official records and departmental inspections point to significant gaps and delays in their preservation and conservation.
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has 56 centrally protected monuments under its care in Jammu and Kashmir. The Union Ministry of Culture says conservation, restoration and structural stabilization works are being undertaken at these sites according to requirements and availability of resources.
However, the same government response shows that modern documentation technologies such as LiDAR mapping, GIS and drone-based surveys have only been proposed for selected monuments including Naranag, Martand and Buniyar.
The issue of documentation and preservation is not confined to ASI monuments.
The J&K Department of Archives, Archaeology and Museums launched a special “Mission Inspection” in June 2025 to inspect 150 ongoing works and all 54 State Protected Monuments across the Union Territory.
According to the department, the inspection teams were specifically tasked with identifying gaps in conservation works and examining issues including encroachments, stalled projects, disputes, litigation and lack of No Objection Certificates.
The need for such a large-scale inspection has brought the effectiveness of routine monitoring of heritage conservation works under focus.
Official departmental records also point towards administrative delays in taking conservation projects from approval to execution.
In March 2026, the Directorate of Archives, Archaeology and Museums sought technically vetted Detailed Project Reports and certification that sites were free from encumbrances for projects approved under heritage conservation schemes and the 2026-27 CAPEX budget.
The correspondence indicated that some DPRs were still pending, creating another procedural hurdle before execution of approved heritage works.
Staffing and institutional capacity have also emerged as concerns.
A heritage-management assessment prepared for NITI Aayog had earlier observed that the J&K Directorate of Archives, Archaeology and Museums required capacity building. Departmental records have also recorded directions concerning vacant posts and the need for long-term conservation measures for archival records.
The condition of major heritage projects further illustrates the problem of prolonged restoration timelines.
Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex in Jammu, one of the prominent symbols of Dogra heritage, has remained under restoration for years. Although several components have progressed, major conservation works within the historic complex continue.
The government has also issued directions from time to time to expedite restoration and address damaged portions of historic structures within the complex.
The official record therefore points to challenges extending beyond the identification of heritage sites. Documentation, staffing, technical approvals, encumbrance-free land, litigation, encroachments, inter-departmental coordination and delays in execution remain important issues confronting heritage conservation in J&K.
While ASI and the J&K Archives, Archaeology and Museums Department continue to undertake conservation projects, the documented gaps raise questions about whether existing monitoring and implementation mechanisms are adequate for the protection of the Union Territory’s extensive cultural heritage. [KNT]
