Parliament Question: Conservation of Heritage Sites of Shivaji Maharaj

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3471 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.08.2026 CONSERVATION OF HERITAGE SITES OF SHIVAJI MAHARAJ 3471 Shri Anil Yeshwant Desai:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has developed any exclusive plans to undertake documentation and conservation of major heritage sites of our national Hero such as Shivaji Maharaj in Maharashtra,Raigarh, Sinhagad fort, the Sindhudurg Fort and other lesser known coastal forts and also places associated to Maharana Pratap in Rajasthan;

(b) whether these historical monuments are free from illegal encroachments and if not, the details thereof;

(c) whether central consultations have been made with local bodies for implementation of such projects; and

(d) if so, the details thereof, including the funds allocated and utilised during the last three years for keeping these heritage sites free from any illegal construction and encroachments? ANSWER MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) undertakes conservation, maintenance and development works of Centrally Protected Monuments, associated with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Maharana Pratap, under its jurisdiction, as per the approved Annual Conservation Programme, based on the conservation requirements of the monuments and availability of resources. A total of 12 remarkable Maratha Forts associated with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj have been inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List as "Maratha Military Landscapes of India" in 2025 out of which 07 Forts, namely Shivneri Fort, Raigad Fort, Sindhudurg Fort, Lohagad Fort, Panhala Fort, Suvarndurg Fort and Vijaydurg Fort are located in Maharashtra.

Similarly, conservation and maintenance works are undertaken at sites associated with Maharana Pratap, including Kumbhalgarh Fort, the Ruined Palace of Maharana Pratap at Chawand, Raqt Talai, Haldighati, Chetak Samadhi and Badshahi Bagh, as per the requirements and availability of resources.(b) There are cases of encroachments and illegal constructions reported in and around some protected monuments and protected areas (sites) under the jurisdiction of Archaeological Survey of India like Raigarh Fort, Sindhudurg Fort associated with Shivaji Maharaj in the State of Maharashtra and the places associated with Maharana Pratap Singh like Kumbhalgarh Fort, Chittorgarh Fort in State of Rajasthan. Such cases are addressed through enforcement of the provisions of Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 and Rules, 1959 thereof.

(c) ASI coordinates and consults with the concerned State Government Departments, District Administration, Local Bodies and other stakeholders, as and when required, for implementation of conservation works relating to Centrally Protected Monuments.

(d) No separate funds are allocated exclusively for keeping monuments free from illegal construction and encroachments. *****