World Monuments Fund placed Basgo Gompa (Maitreya temples) on the 2000 Watch to draw attention to the conservation needs of the complex. Water had infiltrated the main temple through cracks in its roof, causing damage to the statues, murals, and floor. The local community was fiercely committed to the preservation of the site, but lacked the financial means to address the problems. (...)
World Monuments Fund placed Basgo Gompa (Maitreya temples) on the 2000 Watch to draw attention to the conservation needs of the complex. Water had infiltrated the main temple through cracks in its roof, causing damage to the statues, murals, and floor. The local community was fiercely committed to the preservation of the site, but lacked the financial means to address the problems. Although small donations subsidized emergency stabilization measures, more funding and technical assistance was required for a complete restoration. WMF placed the temples again on the Watch in 2002 and secured funds to address the conservation and training issues at the site. With additional help from the New Delhi-based Namgyal Institute for Research of Ladakhi Art and Culture, conservation began in earnest at Basgo Gompa. By the end of 2004, the two smaller shrines had been completely preserved and were functional once more. The roof of the main temple was repaired, its murals were consolidated and restored, and a proper retaining wall was erected around the perimeter.
