The Maharashtra government has initiated efforts to obtain UNESCO World Heritage Site status for 12 forts associated with the founder of Hindavi Swarajya and Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. A high-level delegation led by Maharashtra's Culture Minister Ashish Shelar has traveled to Paris, France, to present this demand.
Minister Shelar announced that the Maharashtra government has submitted a proposal to UNESCO under the theme of the Maratha Military Landscape of India, requesting the inclusion of these 12 forts in the World Heritage List.
Forts showcase the strategic military powers of the Maratha rule
The proposal includes the following forts: Salher fort, Shivneri fort, Lohgad, Khanderi fort, Raigad, Rajgad, Pratapgad, Suvarnadurg, Panhala Fort, Vijay durg, Sindhudurg in Maharashtra and Gingee Fort in Tamil Nadu. These components, distributed across diverse geographical and physiographic regions, showcase the strategic military powers of the Maratha rule.
Acting on the directives of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the delegation departed for Paris on Saturday to advocate for UNESCO status.
BJP leader Ashish Shelar expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for facilitating the proposal's submission to UNESCO and thanked CM Devendra Fadnavis for entrusting him with the responsibility of representing the state on this global platform.
Help in safeguarding the cultural heritage
Shelar said, "If UNESCO grants World Heritage Site status to these forts, it will open avenues for better conservation and development of tourism. This will help in safeguarding the cultural heritage of Maharashtra and boosting the local economy."
Minister Shelar shared on social media platform X that he met Vishal Sharma, India's Ambassador to UNESCO and a member of the World Heritage Committee, at India House in Paris. He expressed appreciation for forwarding the proposal to include the 12 forts of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list.
Proposal will now undergo technical deliberations
Shelar further saied that the proposal, which has been duly forwarded by the Central Government, will now undergo technical deliberations with UNESCO officials. He expressed confidence that these forts would soon be recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The delegation included Additional Chief Secretary Vikas Kharge, Deputy Director of the Archaeological Directorate Hemant Dalvi, architect Shikha Jain, and other officials from the state government and the Indian Embassy.
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