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Mumbai’s neglected jewels

NAGAR NGO’s book, Abandoned Treasures, receives accolades for the intensive work put in it

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Cover page of the book
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Nagar, the SoBo-based NGO, recently launched a book called Abandoned Treasures, which highlights the forts of Mumbai. The book, launched by Valsa Nair Singh, Secretary, Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs,
Government of Maharashtra, was lauded by people from all walks of life for the intensive research that went into it.

An overview

The book highlights the pitiable state in which the forts lie today and the lack of maintenance and amenities for tourists. Singh shared, “I am glad that this topic has been picked up by NAGAR as this will help people identify the forts of the city.” The book includes a great deal of information including details about biodiversity, satellite images and other pictorial data. Architect Parul Kumtha, who has carried out the survey for the book, shared, “One of the things we discovered during the survey is that each fort has its exclusive biodiversity, which is another reason for us to care about them.”

A pitiful state

In acknowledging the work of NAGAR, Dr. Milind Patadkar of Horizon, shared, “There is a dire need for the authorities to wake up and conserve the forts using the right techniques as these monuments are very old.” Patadkar
shared a ghastly fact with us—the Dharavi Fort doesn’t even have an entrance now as it may have been hidden due to rampant slum encroachment. Nayana Kathpalia of NAGAR shared, “These forts are essential for the city and with this data, we hope to pursue this cause further. There are several laws laid down by the Architectural Society of India (ASI), which include penalty for culprits who deface the protected monuments. The amount of fine is up to Rs. 1 lakh in addition to imprisonment for up to two years. The law also states that an area of 100 metres surrounding the monument has to be treated like a buffer zone. No other structure is allowed to be built in such an area but we still see encroachment.”

Know your city’s forts

There are eight forts in the city—Sion Hillock Fort, Vasai Fort, Bandra Fort, Fort St. George, Mahim Fort, Dharavi Fort, Sewri Fort and Worli Fort. The Sion Hillock Fort and the Vasai Fort fall under the jurisdiction of ASI while the rest fall under the jurisdiction of the State Directorate of Archeology and Museums.


pooja.patel@dnaindia.net

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