J&K identifies 495 heritage sites to boost tourism sector

Ovaise Gul
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12 May 2026

Survey to identify more sites likely to conclude in 3 months: Govt

Srinagar, May 11: In a bid to diversify tourism beyond Gulmarg and Pahalgam, the Jammu and Kashmir government is focusing on developing heritage destinations across the region to attract more tourists from across the globe.

The government has identified 495 heritage sites across Jammu and Kashmir as part of its plan to promote heritage tourism and expand tourism activities beyond conventional destinations.

Speaking exclusively with Rising Kashmir, Principal Secretary, Culture, Brij Mohan Sharma stated that a total of 495 heritage sites, including 327 from Jammu and 168 from Kashmir, have been identified, which would prove a boon for the tourism sector.

Sharma further said that the number of such sites was earlier 651, which included 163 from Ladakh. “The total number of such sites is now 495 across J&K for which the plans have already been formalised,” he said, adding that the renovation work at several of these sites has already been started or completed.

Sharing further details, Sharma said that the survey at present is still going on to identify more such places across Jammu & Kashmir. “We are working on it, and the survey is expected to be completed within the next three months,” he informed.

Last month, a detailed presentation before the Chief Minister highlighted Jammu and Kashmir’s heritage potential, including monuments, forts, shrines and performing arts traditions.

The presentation noted that many heritage sites remain underutilised and are deteriorating due to limited technical expertise, weak institutional coordination and inadequate financial and policy support.

It also proposed adaptive reuse models through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) frameworks, citing examples from Punjab, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh where heritage structures were converted into tourism and cultural destinations while preserving their historical character.

Projects such as Qila Mubarak in Patiala, Neemrana Fort and Orchha Fort were cited as successful examples of heritage conservation linked with tourism development.

The presentation also pointed to gaps in the implementation of the J&K Heritage Conservation and Preservation Act, 2010, including the inactive status of the Heritage Conservation Authority and the lack of inter-departmental coordination.