NASHIK: Shivkarya Gadkot Conservation Society wrote to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray explaining to him about the poor conditions of forts and the need to preserve them and Nashik District’s history. In their letter, the society stated that forest department officials and other official authorities need to conserve forts as they preserve the state’s history and will help future generations learn about struggles and hard work of freedom fighters.
These forts represent the struggles of various freedom fighters like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Shamburaje, Madan Mohan Malaviya. The forts contain sculptural monuments and arms and ammunition used by freedom fighters and warrior kings to protect these forts. There are more than 350 historic hills, forts, and waterfalls in the state. Most of the forts are in a dilapidated situation.
While some have broken walls, others are filled with garbage heaps. It is the responsibility of the central and state government, including the forest department, to preserve the forts and their artefacts. Some miscreants have demolished many historic structures on forts. Even flora and fauna present in the fort are unsafe due to illegal excavations.
Fort conservation organisations are working tirelessly for various forts at personal cost and have submitted several letters to the state government. However, the local administration and state government are ignoring them continuously. The conservation has alleged that the state government doesn’t even have a government record of these forts.
Due to the continuous negligence, these forts are in state of disrepair. Ministers, MLAs and MPs should help the conservation society by providing financial assistance to keep the forts safe and secure. Many forts even need security personnel as miscreants enter the fort and cause damage to artefacts.
