A detailed 10-year conservation plan is being launched to preserve 12 forts linked to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, recently added to UNESCO’s World Heritage list under the title Maratha Military Landscapes. The initiative, based in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, aims to maintain the forts’ historical integrity, improve waste management, and deploy necessary personnel. Areas with high visitor footfall will be given priority, according to a senior official speaking to PTI.
The project will involve multiple departments working together to protect these historic sites. The listed forts include Salher, Shivneri, Lohgad, Khanderi, Raigad, Rajgad, Pratapgad, Suvarnadurg, Panhala, Vijay Durg, Sindhudurg in Maharashtra, and Gingee Fort in Tamil Nadu.
The 'Maratha Military Landscapes', showcasing the remarkable fortifications and strategic military system developed by the Maratha rulers, was officially added to the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage List on Friday, July 11, 2025, according to a post by the UN body on X.
Announced on Friday, July 11, 2025, via a post on X, the inclusion celebrates the sophisticated network of forts and military architecture developed by the Maratha rulers. The decision was made during the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee currently taking place in Paris. UNESCO shared the news with the message: "New inscription on the @UNESCO #WorldHeritage List: Maratha Military Landscapes of India, #India."
According to reports, the official—who spoke on condition of anonymity—highlighted the complexities of the task due to the varied topography and historical uniqueness of each fort. "Though the UNESCO tag has been allotted, there is a set of challenges we must overcome. We have prepared and submitted a 10-year plan to tackle these issues across all 12 forts," he said.
He emphasised that each fort has unique characteristics, so a uniform approach won't be effective. Conservation is a major task which will be executed after conducting a detailed study. The team will start with areas that experience heavy footfall-this could include gates, fortifications, and other historical structures. In places where communities reside on the forts, they will work to give the locality a traditional and heritage-friendly look, the official added.
Following this, efforts will focus on inaccessible areas, aiming to make them open and safe for visitors. The initiative will not be restricted to a single department - it will be a collaboration with district planning committees, the Public Works Department (PWD), the tourism department, and other government agencies to enhance visitor access and infrastructure, he said. Manpower and garbage management have also been identified as critical areas. "While there may not be entry tickets, district administrations can levy a nominal fee for waste management and security. Dedicated manpower will be deployed, and strict monitoring of plastic use will be enforced," the official said.
He stressed the importance of sensitising visitors to the historical and cultural significance of the forts, noting that public awareness and responsible tourism were essential for their preservation. The official also mentioned that the proposal submitted to UNESCO went beyond highlighting architectural value. It placed strong emphasis on the 17th-century philosophy of self-rule, or Swarajya, envisioned for the welfare of the people—an approach he said was key to securing World Heritage recognition.