Professors from Mumbai University’s History, Archaeology, and Geography departments have come together to draft a proposal for the preservation and conservation of four coastal forts in Sindhudurg district, dating back to the era of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
The forts include Sindhudurg — recently declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site — along with Padmadurg, Rajkot, and Sarjekot. The proposal aims to boost heritage tourism, conservation efforts, and public awareness while involving students and local communities in the process.
If approved, it will also pave the way for the establishment of a Fort Study and Research Centre at the university’s Kalina campus, with an out-campus unit in Sindhudurg, officials said. The committee guiding the proposal is mentored by the vice chancellor and includes external experts who will help present the plan to the state government.
Faculty members said the move would be a landmark step for students. “Our MA students study heritage tourism, forts and fortification, and monument conservation. Working on real-life case studies will provide invaluable experience to both students and research assistants,” said Dr Prachi Moghe, assistant professor at the Department of Archaeology and a member of the proposal committee.
She explained that conservation of such coastal forts requires multi-disciplinary work involving archaeology, maritime trade, military strategy, marine architecture, and protection against environmental damage. “The proposal also includes public participation. Locals can learn to identify important geoglyphs they may come across and report them to our team so conservation can begin,” she added.
Sindhudurg — recently declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site
The proposal was requested by the Maharashtra government, and a primary draft was submitted in August. The project could open up more research and on-site learning opportunities, said Dr Prakash Masram, professor at the Department of History.
“We have already made preliminary site visits to examine the condition of these forts. However, lashing monsoons made accessibility an issue, especially for Sindhudurg, which can only be reached by boat,” he said. “So far, we have observed heavy erosion due to saline water and other natural factors. With support from local communities, we hope to restore the glory of these historic monuments,” he added.
