Kargil, Dec 09: The Ladakh Environment and Health Organisation has initiated a community-driven stone-carving workshop in Tia village, Kargil, to restore the endangered tradition of mani-stone craftsmanship while offering fresh livelihood prospects to local households.
The training, which began on December 1, is being held simultaneously in Pharka and Sara-Changri mohllas, where 53 residents including 13 women are learning to carve sacred inscriptions and motifs revered in Ladakh’s Buddhist culture. LEHO has supplied professional tools and raw material to ensure that the skill-development sessions proceed without disruption.
Local trainers are guiding villagers to preserve the authenticity of traditional carvings while exploring innovative designs that could appeal to contemporary markets. For many participants, the programme has emerged as an opportunity to convert a cultural practice into a stable income source, especially at a time when rural employment options remain limited.
Community representatives say the initiative is fortifying cultural identity at the grassroots by bringing women and youth into a craft historically dominated by men. The renewed engagement with an age-old art form is restoring a sense of pride that had begun to fade due to economic shifts and reduced transmission of traditional skills.
As carving hammers echo through Tia’s lanes, the village is witnessing a methodical revival of its artistic legacy. With LEHO backing the endeavour, residents see the workshop as a step toward sustainable development anchored in heritage rather than dependency on external markets.
The programme continues to draw strong support from villagers who hope the craft will once again become a visible and valued expression of Ladakh’s cultural fabric.
