Jammu, February 4, 2026 : Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday highlighted a series of initiatives undertaken for the revival, restoration and conservation of Jammu and Kashmir’s rich cultural heritage, particularly at Parihaspora, Pattan and Tappar.
Replying to a question in the Legislative Assembly raised by MLA Pattan Javid Riyaz Bedar regarding the promotion of Heritage Tourism, the Chief Minister said that the Department of Culture is mandated to safeguard and conserve the Union Territory’s heritage assets, while the promotion and major conservation works at certain sites fall under the jurisdiction of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
Holding the portfolios of Culture and Tourism, Abdullah informed the House that the heritage sites at Parihaspora, Pattan and Tappar are primarily under ASI’s mandate for conservation, protection and major developmental interventions. However, to improve visitor experience, the J&K Tourism Department has constructed a tourist cafeteria at Parihaspora, which will be further renovated and upgraded to enhance basic amenities for tourists.
Detailing conservation initiatives by the Culture Department, the Chief Minister said Goverdhan, Parihaspora, declared a State Protected Monument vide SRO-408 dated September 19, 2013, has been secured through protection measures including chain-link fencing, completed during FY 2024–25 under the Capex Budget at a cost of ₹39.89 lakh.
He further informed that Divar Yakhmanpora, Parihaspora, declared a State Protected Monument vide SRO-337 dated August 31, 1989, comprises an ancient temple complex currently under excavation. Excavation work began in FY 2023–24 under Phase-I of the Scheme for Revival, Restoration, Preservation and Maintenance of Architecture and Heritage in J&K, with an estimated cost of ₹373.10 lakh. Around 60 per cent of the work has been completed, and due to the manual nature of excavation, the project is expected to continue into the next financial year.
In Pattan, Abdullah said a heritage site comprising a temple and spring near Sukh Nag was declared a State Protected Monument vide SRO-517 dated August 29, 2019. Restoration and development works at the Sukh Nag Spring and Temple were carried out during FY 2024–25 at an estimated cost of ₹229.92 lakh. The site has since been fully restored and is being maintained by the Department.
Regarding Tappar, the Chief Minister clarified that the Tappar Heritage Site is a Centrally Protected Monument under the administrative control of the ASI, and therefore, no separate initiative has been undertaken by the J&K Department at the site.
