Maharashtra delegation in Paris to seek world heritage status for 12 forts of Shivaji Maharaj
A high-level delegation led by Maharashtra cultural affairs minister Ashish Shelar has gone to Paris to seek Unesco World Heritage status for 12 forts of Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
Mumbai: A high-level delegation led by Maharashtra cultural affairs minister Ashish Shelar has gone to Paris to seek Unesco World Heritage status for 12 forts of Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. As per an official statement from Shelar’s office, the Maharashtra government has submitted a proposal to Unesco under the theme ‘Maratha Military Landscape of India’, seeking the inclusion of 12 forts in the World Heritage list.
The forts included in the proposal are Raigad, Rajgad, Pratapgad, Panhala, Shivneri, Lohagad, Salher, Sindhudurg, Suvarnadurg, Vijaydurg, Khanderi, and Gingee (located in the Villupuram District of Tamil Nadu).
The delegation, which consists of four-members including additional chief secretary Vikas Kharge, deputy Director of the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums Hemant Dalvi and architect Shikha Jain, will be in Paris, France till February 26, 2025.
Officials said that on the directives of chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, the delegation is travelling to Paris to effectively present Maharashtra’s case for UNESCO recognition. The cultural affairs minister expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for forwarding Maharashtra’s proposal to UNESCO and chief minister Devendra Fadnavis for entrusting him with the crucial responsibility of representing the state on this global platform.
According to the minister’s office, the delegation would conduct technical and diplomatic presentations before the UNESCO authorities, emphasizing the historical and architectural significance of these forts. “This will help bring global recognition to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s forts while emphasizing the significance of Maharashtra’s cultural heritage,” Mr. Shelar said.
If these forts are granted UNESCO World Heritage recognition, it would open avenues for enhanced conservation, preservation and tourism development. This will not only help safeguard Maharashtra’s cultural heritage but will also provide a significant boost to the local economy, the minister added.
