Pune: Fort Preservation Campaign Conducted At Sinhagad To Safeguard Its Sanctity
Pune: Fort Preservation Campaign Conducted At Sinhagad To Safeguard Its Sanctity
Pune: To prevent the desecration of forts by the youth while celebrating the New Year, the Raje Shivray Pratishthan, in collaboration with the Forest Department, organized a fort preservation campaign at the foot of Sinhagad on Tuesday. The initiative aimed to protect the sanctity of Maharashtra’s historic forts and monuments.
The Forest Department increased patrols throughout the day and night in city hillocks and sanctuaries. The campaign saw participation from the staff of the Forest Department and volunteers from the Pratishthan, who began inspecting vehicles heading to Sinhagad early in the morning. Tourists carrying alcohol, non-vegetarian food, or smoking materials were stopped.
For over two decades, the Raje Shivray Pratishthan has been conducting cleanliness drives and preservation initiatives at forts. Every year, on the eve of New Year’s celebrations, the organization collaborates with the Forest Department to inspect vehicles and ensure no misconduct occurs at Sinhagad. This year, items like domestic and foreign liquor, tobacco products, cigarettes, and even dangerous Chinese-made kite strings were confiscated. Tourists were also educated about the sanctity and historical importance of the fort, said Mahesh Pawale, founder of the Pratishthan.
Prominent members, including Atul Gonte, Prashant Harekar, Nilesh Parikh, Mayur Loyre, Harshal Tapkir, Shubham Chandere, and Sunil Gaware, actively participated in the campaign. Forest officers Samadhan Patil, Baliram Waikar, Komal Sapkal, Sunita Kuchgave, Maithili Gurav, Sandeep Koli, and Datta Jorkar ensured the fort’s security throughout the day. Visitors were asked to leave the premises after evening hours to maintain discipline.
