Maharashtra seeks control of historic forts for preservation

The Maharashtra government has requested the central government to hand over the management of historic forts to them. This would allow for improved preservation and tourism development of these important sites. Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar made the appeal in a letter to Union Minister of Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. He emphasized the state's dedication to protecting its heritage and the ongoing work on forts currently under state control. Maharashtra has 54 forts protected by the Centre and 62 by the state. Shelar believes that taking charge of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) forts will help the state focus on restoring them and promoting tourism. The state has initiatives like ‘Maha Varasa’ and ‘Vaibhav Sangopan’ to attract donations for these efforts. The Maharashtra cabinet recently reaffirmed its commitment to preserving forts from the Maratha era, which are vital to the state's history. Maharashtra is also pushing for 12 historic forts to be recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. A delegation recently presented this idea in Paris, focusing on the Maratha military landscape. The forts being discussed include Raigad, Rajgad, and Panhala, among others. Shelar expressed confidence in Maharashtra's capability to manage the conservation work, noting that the state's Department of Archaeology and Museums is prepared for the task. The team includes contractors and experts in heritage restoration. He emphasized the importance of these forts as symbols of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and their role in inspiring future generations.