Kumik village in the Zanskar region of Ladakh was declared the Union Territory’s first designated Heritage Village by Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on 15 September 2026, during the launch of the Ladakh Zanskar Festival. Situated at an altitude of over 13,000 feet, Kumik is known for its traditional mud houses, sacred sites, centuries-old Buddhist traditions and rare Kanjur manuscripts, which preserve the teachings of the Buddha in Tibetan. The recognition aims to protect the village’s distinctive architecture, cultural practices and traditional knowledge while promoting heritage conservation. The village also faces environmental challenges, particularly water scarcity caused by the retreat of glaciers that once supplied its streams. The designation highlights the importance of preserving Ladakh’s cultural heritage while addressing the challenges faced by its high-altitude communities.