In what may change the paradigm for conservation of heritage structures, the Maharashtra government has undertaken a pilot project to conduct 3D mapping of the iconic Sinhagad fort near Pune.
The first in India to use satellite technology for restoration, the project may be extended for the conservation of the 350-odd forts in Maharashtra.
The exercise will reveal the strength of the structures and help draw up a comprehensive master plan for the revival of the fort, which is known for the valour of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's general Tanaji Malusare who recaptured it from a Mughal garrison in 1670. The 3D data can be used for gaming and walk-throughs.
Tejas Garge, Director, Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, said they had started satellite mapping of the Sinhagad fort through the Maharashtra Remote Sensing Application Centre (MRSAC). This will get accurate mapping about the fort's condition and assess the damage to enable remedial measures.
"The data will have multi-purpose use including conservation. Today, we have no detailed mapping, survey, monument drawings or conditional assessment of our forts. This creates problems when we try to draw up a master-plan for conservation," noted a senior officer, stating it would include site management and creation of tourist facilities. He added that the 3D data could also be converted to engineering drawings.
The exercise, which was recommended by a committee setup to suggest measures for conservation of forts, was launched in February- March and is expected to cost around Rs 30 lakh.
"The MRSAC has adopted an integrated approach using a combination of geo-informatics technologies like unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) for a topographic survey, remote sensing, GIS, GPS and terrestrial LIDAR," explained a source, adding that the results would be presented to the department by June-end.
The source said the project would help restore the fort according to the technology and materials originally used for construction.
"The results will reveal which parts of structures and fortifications are weak and help restore them," he added.
MAPPING HISTORY
- Maharashtra has 353 forts, including 49 under the state government and 51 under the ASI. Apart from these archaeologically protected sites, the other forts are in areas under the purview of departments like forests or are privately owned. The state is also planning to add 88 more forts to its list.
