Group of Mumbai trekkers helps restore forgotten forts

Thanks to Mumbai’s proximity to the Sahyadri range, trekking is an immensely popular activity among the city’s young and old.

Unfortunately, years of neglect have taken a toll on the numerous forts, many of them dating back to Chhatrapati Shivaji’s time. Added to this is the fact that increasing human traffic to these forts has resulted in littering, graffiti on the walls and the destruction of flora and fauna in the vicinity.

The good news is that several environment-conscious trekking groups in the city have joined hands to fight littering on trekking routes, depleting tree cover, graffiti on fort walls, and so on. But, one such group, Kille Vasai Mohim, led by Bhayandar-resident Shridatta Raut, 26, takes things even further.

For the past six years, Raut and his group of five dedicated and enthusiastic youngsters have been dutifully visiting a fort every Sunday from 8 am to 4 pm. The group not only cleans graffiti and plastic littered in the fort, but also makes a conscious effort to restore the fort to its former glory, be it by building pillars, emptying debris from ‘secret’ tunnels and passages or by using vegetable dyes to repaint the fort’s intricate artwork.

“In the past, we have collected about 2,000-3,000 flowers to create vegetable dyes by boiling them. We also use banana peel, sugarcane juice, and vegetable dyes. The idea is to be as organic as possible while restoring the fort,” explained Raut, who, with his team, worked on restoring the Kelve Mahim fort and the Vasai fort.

“It is very important to know how to conserve forts. It’s not just about picking up only plastic bags — every wall needs to be cleared, water tanks cleaned, coins and idols have to be preserved,” said Raut, who is passionate about fort conservation.
Thane district has 55 ancient forts that have borne witness to history being created. Unfortunately, many of these forts, monuments and temples are not covered by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), said another member of the group. The group in the course of its activities has often come across discoveries such as idols dating back to 16th and 17th century, lying in fields.

Raut, who has written three books on Vasai Fort, said, “We collected villagers, organised painting competitions for their children, organised fort conservation workshops and also convinced them that conserving the fort was a good idea,” explained

Next on the group’s list are Arnala fort, Waziragad, Bhavangad (Saphala station), Kaldurg (Palghar) and seven other forts that lie ahead of Virar- Kelva beach.

“Lack of interest in conservation is a problem,” Raut said, adding, “If only young people remember to stay environment friendly, it would make such a difference.”