Overview

• Maharashtra has formalized and submitted a detailed 10-year conservation plan for the 12 UNESCO-listed Maratha forts following interim ICOMOS guidance.
• Restoration efforts will prioritize high-footfall zones, community-inhabited sections and previously inaccessible areas to preserve each fort’s unique features.
• Multiple agencies—including the Public Works Department, tourism department and district planning committees—will coordinate upgrades to visitor infrastructure and site management.
• Waste management strategies involve nominal fees for garbage services, strict plastic monitoring and dedicated staff at key fort entrances.
• The conservation strategy embeds the 17th-century Swarajya philosophy by promoting public awareness and responsible tourism to uphold the forts’ universal value.