Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Jul 13: The recent inclusion of 12 historic forts—11 from Maharashtra and one from Tamil Nadu—in UNESCO’s World Heritage List has triggered a wave of reactions from political leaders, led by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray. Expressing happiness over the international recognition, Thackeray called on the Maharashtra government to act swiftly by demolishing all unauthorised structures around the forts, regardless of the religion or caste of the encroachers.

In a post on social media platform X, Thackeray said the government should not merely celebrate the UNESCO tag, but also take full responsibility for safeguarding the heritage sites. He noted that these forts, built under the leadership of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, hold deep cultural and historical value and now require strict conservation efforts. He added that some earlier governments had allowed these forts to fall into neglect, making them unfit for tourism or global recognition until now.

Thackeray also reminded authorities of UNESCO’s strict guidelines for maintaining World Heritage Sites. Citing two global examples—the Arabian Oryx Sanctuary in Oman and Germany’s Dresden Valley—he warned that the heritage tag could be revoked if maintenance and conservation criteria are not met. He welcomed the expected inflow of central funds for preservation, but urged the state to also allocate additional resources for the task. Emphasising the long-term benefits, he said Maharashtra could dramatically boost its economy through fort conservation and tourism development, especially along its neglected coastline.

In a show of rare agreement, Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) president Sharad Pawar supported Thackeray’s call for serious conservation efforts. Pawar said that the inclusion of forts associated with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the global heritage list was a matter of immense pride for every Indian, and especially for Shivaji’s admirers in Maharashtra. However, he stressed that such an honour also brings with it a heavy responsibility—to ensure that these monuments are preserved with respect and care.

Pawar stated that conserving the forts would ensure Shivaji Maharaj’s legacy lives on not only in textbooks but also through global research and cultural engagement. He also thanked the Government of India, the Archaeological Department, and the scholarly community for their efforts in securing UNESCO recognition.

Both Thackeray and Pawar’s remarks underscore a growing consensus that the international recognition must be met with on-ground action. With global attention now drawn to Maharashtra’s forts, the state government is under pressure to implement immediate and sustained conservation measures that will protect, restore, and elevate these monuments of Swarajya for future generations.