Leh: Former Member of Parliament Jamyang Tsering Namgyal on Tuesday said the inclusion of Sarnath, the place where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon, among the heritage locations selected for focused development under the Union Budget 2026–27 reinforces India’s position as a global centre of Buddhist thought and learning.
In a statement issued from Leh, Namgyal said that the decision to place Sarnath alongside other nationally recognised heritage sites reflects the Union Government’s intent to strengthen cultural tourism and deepen global engagement with India’s spiritual and philosophical traditions.
He also welcomed the overall Budget allocation of ₹4,869.31 crore for the Union Territory of Ladakh, stating that the enhanced outlay is expected to support tourism, infrastructure development, industrial activity and employment generation, while addressing the region’s strategic, geographical and socio-economic requirements.
Namgyal expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the inclusion of Leh Palace among the 15 archaeological and heritage sites identified for targeted development.
He described Leh Palace as a central symbol of Ladakh’s cultural and historical legacy and said the site holds strong potential for strengthening heritage-based tourism in the region.
Referring to the decision to extend the Buddhist Circuit to the North Eastern states, the former parliamentarian said the initiative is aimed at preserving and promoting the diverse Buddhist traditions practised across the country, including Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana.
According to him, the set of measures announced in the Union Budget reflects an approach that seeks to combine development with heritage protection and economic growth with cultural continuity, particularly in sensitive and high-altitude regions such as Ladakh.
