Jammu, July 31 -- Lieutenant governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Thursday approved the declaration of 23 heritage sites across the Union Territory as "protected monuments" under the provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir Ancient Monuments Preservation Act. The notification has been issued in view of the immense historical, archaeological and cultural significance of these sites, and marks a major milestone in the preservation of Ladakh's unique civilisational heritage. These 23 protected monuments include petroglyph sites, ancient rock carvings, ancient caves, Gompas, caves, forts and palaces among others, that were hitherto lying in dilapidated shape and were under severe threat. "Ladakh's ancient monasteries, forts, caves, petroglyphs and rock carvings are invaluable testimonies to our rich civilisational heritage and cultural identity. Their preservation is not merely about protecting monuments but about safeguarding the collective memory of our people for future generations. By declaring these sites as protected monuments, we are laying a strong institutional foundation for their scientific conservation, documentation and sustainable management," said LG Saxena....