SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has surveyed and documented 102 heritage sites in Kupwara district, including Langate, while 16 sites have been identified for restoration and conservation, the Legislative Assembly has been informed.
The Department of Culture provided the information in response to an unstarred question by Langate MLA Khurshid Ahmad Sheikh regarding the preservation and documentation of historical, archaeological, architectural and spiritual heritage in the district.
The surveyed sites include the approximately 700-year-old underground Khanqah at Shah Nagari in Mawar, the shrine of Hazrat Arna Saeb at Yaroo, Sada Ganga Astapan at Kandi, the shrine of Hazrat Haji Bahram (RA) at Wahipora and the historic wooden mosque associated with Qadir Saeb Kralat at Hirri.
The department said it had also surveyed 461 manuscripts in Kupwara under the Gyan Bharatam Programme, including 40 old Persian handwritten manuscripts from Gumriyal.
However, none of the heritage sites in Kupwara district has been notified or declared a State Protected Monument or Site under the J&K Ancient Monuments Preservation Act, 1977, during the past four years.
The department said 16 sites had been identified for restoration and conservation, with work being undertaken in phases depending on the availability of resources and budgetary provisions. Details of the surveyed and restored sites were stated to have been provided in the relevant annexure to the Assembly reply.
On the formulation of a time-bound conservation programme, the Government said systematic surveys, documentation and assessment were being carried out as the basis for compiling and assimilating historical, architectural and other heritage-related information.
It said it was also in the process of entering into memoranda of understanding with the School of Architecture, Planning & Geomatics at the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST), Awantipora, and the School of Architecture and Landscape Design at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU), Katra, to obtain technical and expert assistance for scientific preservation, conservation and restoration.
The Government said heritage sites were being taken up under the Scheme for Revival, Restoration, Preservation and Conservation of Architecture and Heritage in J&K in a phased manner.
Selection of sites under the scheme is based on recommendations and approval of designated committees and is subject to the availability of funds within approved budgetary allocations, it said.
