Jammu, Nov. 1 -- Heavy rainfall and sudden cloudbursts, intensified by climate change in recent years, are taking a toll on the fragile heritage of Ladakh, particularly its centuries-old wall murals and sacred structures. Human-driven change compounds these environmental threats. As modern concrete construction gains favour over traditional architecture, historic buildings often fall into neglect. When an ancient wall painting is lost or the fabric of a historic monastery deteriorates beyond repair, the unique history and traditional knowledge embedded within it are lost forever.

Against this backdrop, a quiet but determined preservation movement has taken root. Two local organisations-the Himalayan Cultural Heritage Foundation (HCHF), f...