CONSERVATION Conservation of Forts in Maharashtra through Appropriate Tourism Development Policy Prof. Parag Govardhan Narkhede and Ms. Imelda Morris Janjira Fort Understanding the ourism in the form of activity ism and the environment which helps symbiotic relation influences the regions where it to develop the policy for tourism de- Tis developed and received with velopment of an area and imposition between tourism economic, social, cultural, and environ- of the special limits. Thus, the tourism initiatives and heritage mental dimensions. In most of the de- does not lead to the degradation of of a region velopment programmes and studies, the environment and in long terms to focus is given only on the economic the tourist disdain of an area, but it and social dimensions where as envi- helps in its protection or its conserva- ronmental dimension is under estimat- tion. In other words, the environment ed or ignored. Therefore, it is essential influences the tourism and vice versa. to maintain the balance between tour- The environment of the region is nega- 1 6 ARCHITECTURE - Time Space & People March 2011 tively influenced most times by the in- there is a need to educate people and POPULAR FORTS IN crease of tourism, whereas the growth to create employment in order to fight MAHARASHTRA of tourism depends on the quality and poverty and misery. One way to deal AHMEDNAGAR FORT characteristics of the environment. with this problem is to find the carry- Ahmednagar Fort is one of the best de- Thus it becomes necessary to conserve ing capacity. Any tourism beyond the signed forts in the entire state of Ma- and preserve the forts in Maharashtra acceptable carrying capacity should harashtra. At the same time, it is also which would not only develop tourism be strictly prohibited. The carrying counted amongst the impregnable but also raise the economic, social, cul- capacity can be in relation to environ- forts of India. The fort is situated in the tural, and environmental dimensions ment, social and economical. In the Ahmednagar district and dates back to of the Maharashtra state. environmental approach, it is defined the year 1559. Maharashtra is the third largest state as the ability of natural resources and of India, both in area and population. It the ecosystem to support the tourism DaulataBAD FORT is located on the west coast line along development. Shelby (1987) proposed Daulatabad Fort is a magnificent fort the lush green Konkan region. Nestled more general definition for carrying situated in Maharashtra, at a distance in the Western Ghats and the Sahyadri capacity: The level of use of an area of around 13 km from the Aurangabad mountain range are several hill stations without exceeding the certain levels. city. It forms a part of the Daulatabad and water reservoirs with semi-ever- city, which was earlier known as ‘Devi- green and deciduous forests. The Vid- TOURISM DEVELOPMENT giri’. The fort, perched at a height of ap- harba region of Maharashtra, with its According to the Oxford Dictionary, proximately 60 ft and dates back to the dense forests, is home to 350 odd forts, the meaning of the word “TOURISM” 12th century. beaten by the sea waves, lashed at by is a Business of providing accommo- the torrential Deccan rains, or scorched dation and services for Tourist who Panhala FORT in the blazing sun, stand imposing with visits a place for pleasure. Panhala Fort is situated at a distance of ramparts and crumbling walls. There are a number of reasons approximately 19 km from the Kolhapur Nowhere in the country would you why carrying capacity can benefit city of Maharashtra. Counted amongst encounter such a profusion of forts Maharashtra, the largest as well as most significant and such variety. Sited on an island, 1. The tourist destinations absorb forts of the Deccan region of India, it as Murud-Janjira or Suvarnadurg, or the tourism growth before stands perched at an altitude of around guarding the seas as at Bassein or up the negative results become 850 m above the sea level. amidst the Sahyadries, as at Torna and perceptibility by host community. Raigad, whose ziz-zag walls and round- 2. Visitors will experience the quality Janjira FORT ed bastions sit like a scepter and crown service in the form of food, Janjira Fort is situated in the Murud amidst hills turned mauve. accommodation and transport. town of Maharashtra. Infact, the Is- Tourism today becomes a major in- 3. It helps to plan the tourism in land Fort serves as one of the major dustry. Local people get employed and such a way that it is not a burden attractions of the town. Murud served government gets foreign exchange. In to any part of the area. as the erstwhile capital of the Siddi 1989, nearly 13lakhs foreign tourists 4. Material and technical rulers of Janjira in the earlier times. visited India. The number increased infrastructure helps to save Today, Janjira is counted amongst the by 5.3% in 1990. India also made con- the energy, the guaranteed few sea forts of India and lies 2 km in- siderable progress in local tourism. In cleaning of waste and the side the town. 1989, nearly 5crore Indians reported to taking of remedial measures have taken out tours to various places for the protection of local RAIGAD FORT in the country. environment and Raigad Fort is a magnificent hill for- Maharashtra is well linked by good 5. It helps the management tress, situated in the Raigad district of transportation network to major cities/ to plan the strategy which Maharashtra. It lies approximately 125 growth centers all over India. reflect a predetermined set of km away from Pune and serves as one There is a need to preserve and environmentally and socially of the major excursion of the city. The protect the forts and at the same time desirable conditions fort once served as the capital of Chha- March 2011 ARCHITECTURE - Time Space & People 1 7 Raigad Fort Shivneri Fort trapati Shivaji, the Great Maratha king, city is the Sinhagad Fort, which lies in in the 1674. the vicinity of the city. The fort stands perched on a hill, at an altitude of ap- Sindhudurg fort. It is situated in the SHIVNERI FORT proximately 700 m above the land- Sindhudurg district. Shivneri Fort is one of the most mag- scape that surrounds it. The height nificent as well as historically rich forts at which the fort stands has made it CONSERVATION ETHICS of India. It is situated at a distance of very popular. AND IMPORTANCE OF approximately 90 km from the Pune STRUCTURAL ASPECTS city of Maharashtra. The fort dates SINDHUDURG FORT 1. Ethics in Conservation : back to the time period when Shivaji Maharashtra is known for its rich his- Standard ethics to be observed are, was not born yet. Shivneri Fort was torical legacy. The land has been a i. The structural condition of built under the aegis of Sahaji. silent witness to some of the most the building, before any interven- gruesome battles that have been tion and all methods and the mate- SINHAGAD FORT fought in India. One such symbol of rial used during the treatment must Adding to the attraction of the Pune the rich historical past is the mighty be fully documented intervention. 1 8 ARCHITECTURE - Time Space & People March 2011 • Initial inspections • Continued documentation 3. Degrees of intervention : • Prevention of deterioration (passive conservation) • Preservation • Consolidation • Restoration • Rehabilitation • Reproduction • Reconstruction 4. Values in Conservation : Emotional Values:- • Wonder • Identity • Continuity • Spiritual and symbolic Cultural Values:- • Documentary • Historic • Archaeology • Aesthetic and symbolic • Architectural • Townscape, landscape & ecological • Scientific and technological Use Values:- • Functional • Economic Shivneri Fort • Social • Political ii. Historic evidence must not be de- iii. Not hinder the possibility of later MATERIAL HERITAGE stroyed, falsified or removed access to all the evidence. Emphasis must be given to organic for authenticity. iv. Allow maximum amount of material and dissemination of iii. Any intervention must be the existing material to be retained. conservation techniques. minimum necessary. v. Be harmonious in color, tone, • Conservation of oil paintings : iv. Any intervention must be governed texture, form and scale. It also miniature paintings, painting on by unswerving respect for the should be easily identifiable. cloth, wood, ivory, etc. textile, aesthetic, historical and physical vi. Should sufficiently be qualified manuscripts, books, photographs, integrity of the cultural property. in various aspects and thus it metal objects, ivories, leather, becomes multidisciplinary. other art objects, artifacts and Any proposed intervention should be: ethnographic material. i. Reversible 2. Procedures of Conservations : • Survey of areas and buildings : to ii. Not prejudice for future intervention • Inventories document mural painting sites March 2011 ARCHITECTURE - Time Space & People 1 9 and other historical structure with popular that they are always crowded. majority of the tourists arranged their their conservation requirements So it is difficult to get accommodation own vehicles to reach to the sites, so along with proper photographic during the peak season. In a survey, this creates the traffic problem at the documentation. it was found that most of the tourists tourist places and they do not get • Conservation of wall paintings : (98%) book the accommodation well in enough place to park their vehicles. bas-reliefs, moldings, carvings etc. advance. Though it is done in advance on palaces, forts, temples and but the tourists are not happy with the D) Environmental Impact: other buildings. room layout of the hotel. To accommo- Most of the surveyed respondents(89%) • Survey of museums and private/ date more people in a limited place the experienced that there would be maxi- corporate collections : to assess hotel owners provide less amenities as mum negative impact on the environ- the condition of objects, need for compared to the required standards.