PUNE, Nov 4: A resolution regarding conservation and maintenance of forts in Maharashtra and India will be tabled at the coming Indian Art History Congress at Shillong. Dr Prafulla Chandra Tawade, a researcher with Durga Samvardhan Samiti, who is attending the two-day meet on Thursday will table the resolution which stresses on conservation of about 435 forts in Maharashtra and other places in India.

Speaking at a gathering of fort lovers here on Friday, Tawade demanded that a separate department, Historical Survey of India, be formed to maintain forts on the lines of the Archaeological Survey of India. ``Art and architecture in these forts must be safeguarded as they throw light on the imperial era,'' he said. Dr Tawade, who will speak on `Forts in Maharashtra' and `Performing arts' at the Indian History Congress, said the condition of forts in Maharashtra is deteriorating.

``Panhala has almost become a honeymoon centre and picnic spot with people who are not at all interested in history going to the fort in large numbers,'' he said. Citing the example of Raigad, the capital of Chhatrapati Shivaji's `Hindavi Swarajya,' for the upkeep of which the Public Welfare Minister Nitin Gadkari had promised Rs 1 crore, Tawade complained, ``He announced it on the death anniversary of Chhatrapati this year, but nothing has come through yet.''

Dr Tawade's resolution calls upon the centre and the state to work together on the maintenance of forts. It also states that state tourism development corporations should develop picnic centres in areas close to forts.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.