Parliament Question: Conservation and protection of monuments in J&K

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1467 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.02.2026 CONSERVATION AND PROTECTION OF MONUMENTS IN J&K 1467 SHRI SAT PAUL SHARMA: Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state: (a) whether the Archaeological Survey of India is taking measures for conservation and protection of monuments in J&K; (b) if so, the details of repair, restoration and structural stabilization works being carried out in J&K using modern tools such as LiDAR mapping, GIS, drone- based surveys; (c) whether Government has proposed integrated and phased development of heritage sites in J&K; (d) if so, the details of sites planned for completion by 2025-26 along with the estimated expenditure; (e) whether awareness and capacity-building programmes have been initiated for conservation of heritage sites in J&K; and (f) if so, the outcomes in promoting tourism and preserving cultural heritage in J&K? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT) (a) There are 56 Centrally Protected Monuments under care and maintenance of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in Jammu & Kashmir. ASI undertakes regular conservation, preservation and protection of Centrally Protected Monuments under its jurisdiction in J&K. (b) Repair, restoration and structural stabilization works are being carried out regularly at various monuments as per the need and availability of resources. However, the use of modern documentation tools such as LiDAR mapping, GIS and drone-based surveys have been proposed for selected monuments, including the Group of Temples at Naranag, Sun Temple Martand, and the Ancient Temple at Buniyar, for detailed documentation and future conservation planning.(c) ASI has proposed integrated and phased development of selected heritage sites in Jammu & Kashmir with emphasis on conservation, visitor amenities and heritage awareness. (d) The list of monuments where conservation/development works are planned for completion during financial year 2025-26 till date is enclosed at Annexure-I. The allocation and expenditure during the year 2025-26 is given below. (In Crores) Year Allocation Expenditure upto 27.01.2026 2025-26 5.75 4.97 (e) Heritage awareness and capacity-building programmes are being undertaken through outreach activities, involvement of local communities and education institutions. (f) These initiatives have resulted in enhanced public awareness and promotion of tourism while ensuring preservation of the cultural heritage of Jammu & Kashmir.Annexure - I STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (d) OF THE RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1467 FOR 12.02.2026 The details of sites planned for completion by 2025-26 Sl. No. Name of Monument Name of work Conservation works 01. Akhnoor fort Akhnoor, District S/R to Akhnoor Fort Akhnoor Jammu 02. Pratapswamin temple, Tapper S/R to Pratapswamin temple, Tapper Baramulla 03. Avantisvara temple, Avantipur, S/R to Avantisvara temple, Avantipur Pulwama 04. Hari Hara Shiva Temple, S/R to Hari Hara Shiva Temple, Billawar Billawar, Kathua 05. Trilochan Nath temple, S/R to Trilochan Nath temple, Mahadera, Mahadera, Basholi Kathua Basholi 06. Ancient Stupa, Monastery and S/R to West Side Stupa at Parihaspora Pattan Chaitya at Parihaspora Baramulla 07. Group of arched terraces at Pari S/R to Restoration of stair case at Group of Mahal, Srinagar Arched terraces Structural Pari Mahal 08. Sugandesha temple Baramulla S/R to Sugandesha temple Pattan 09. Mughal Arcade Verinag, District S/R to Mughal Arcade Verinag Anantnag 10. Ancient Stupa, Monastery and S/R to Main structure & laying of stone in Apron Chaitya at Parihaspora Baramulla of Chaitya at Parihaspora Pattan Baramulla 11. Zaina – ul Abdin’s Mothers tomb, S/R to Zaina – ul Abdin’s Mothers tomb, Zaina Zaina Kadal, Srinagar Kadal, Srinagar 12. Akhoon Mulla Shah, Mosque S/R to Akhoon Mulla Shah, Mosque 13. Group of temples at Naranag S/R to Group of temples at Naranag Development works 15. Avantisvara temple, Avantipur, S/R to Avantisvara temple, Avantipur Pulwama 16. Hari Hara Shiva Temple, S/R to Hari Hara temple Billawar Billawar, Kathua 17. Mughal Arcade Verinag, District Development of amenities at Mughal Arcade Anantnag Verinag 18. Ancient temple Martand Upgradation of pathway & fixing of CCTV Cameras at Ancient temple Martand 19. Avantiswamin temple Avantipur Job work under up-gradation of toilet block and ticket counter at Avantiswamin temple Avantipur 20 Ancient Palace at Ramnagar Job work under up-gradation of existing grill fencing over dwarf wall on southern side of the Ancient Palace at Ramnagar *****