Kishtwar : District Development Commissioner (DC), Pankaj Kumar Sharma chaired a meeting Friday to review and discuss key heritage conservation and restoration projects proposed under the Scheme – Revival, Restoration, Preservation and Maintenance of Architecture & Heritage of the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir.
During the meeting, the officers deliberated on multiple heritage and religious infrastructure projects including the preservation of Sai Draman heritage site at Bhaguna Panchayat Block Nagseni, preservation of BhatanDimiji Buddhist Site at Nagseni Doda, renovation and restoration of Devigol Jwala Mata Temple along with the holy spring at Bunjwah, revival and restoration of Raghunathji Temple at Kishtwar and construction of a Dramshalla at Haloti (Machail) in the Padder region.
The aim of these projects is to preserve the historical, spiritual, and cultural identity of Kishtwar while promoting heritage-based tourism.
The DC directed the PWD (R&B) Department to undertake the construction of buildings, boundary fencing and footpath tiling strictly in accordance with the notified architectural guidelines.
He directed that all development works must align with the traditional archaeological patterns and historical aesthetics of the respective heritage sites, ensuring structural resemblance and authenticity are preserved while executing the works in a planned manner.
The DDC directed the concerned engineering wings of PWD (R&B) Divisions Kishtwar and Padder to ensure timely and detailed execution plans with a special focus on maintaining aesthetic harmony, structural sustainability, environmental sensitivity, sanctity and the cultural essence of the identified heritage assets.
Emphasizing the significance of conserving heritage infrastructure, the DDC stated that the preservation of these important cultural landmarks will contribute to the socio-cultural development of the region while enhancing its religious tourism potential.
The meeting was attended by ADC Kishtwar, Pawan Kotwal, CPO Kishtwar Akhil Thakur, CEO Municipal Council Kishtwar Mirza Mumtaz Iqbal, ExEn PWD (R&B) Kishtwar Ravinder Verma, AEE PWD (R&B) Padder and other concerned officers.