Safety lapses persist at Maharashtra’s popular forts, despite repeated accidents and Unesco tag

Pune: Basic safety measures remain woefully inadequate at a majority of forts across Maharashtra, despite a series of accidents over the years, including bee attacks, trekkers slipping into deep gorges, and fatal falls. This continued neglect raised serious concerns, especially as several of these sites are protected monuments, and some fall under the Unesco World Heritage Site listing.
Maharashtra plays home to over 350 forts — many perched on steep hills and rugged terrain in the Western Ghats. Forts like Rajgad, Raigad, Sinhagad, Torna, Lohagad and Harishchandragad attract thousands of visitors every week. Trekkers across ages — schoolchildren, families, senior citizens, and adventure enthusiasts — frequent these sites, with a significant number of tourists from other states or countries visiting, too. But despite heavy footfall, safety infrastructure on most forts is either minimal or entirely absent. Warning signboards at vulnerable points, safety railings near steep drops, clearly demarcated trekking routes, emergency helplines, and trained rescue personnel are largely missing. In several locations, old signboards are faded or collapsed, while makeshift barricades installed after accidents have been removed or damaged within months. Vilas Wahane, assistant director of the state archeological department, told TOI, "We gave an estimate of the preservation work required on these forts to state govt. Work can start only after getting funds. It is necessary to build the necessary safety infrastructure at these places, considering their global status and increasing footfall every year." Over the past few years, incidents involving bee swarms have been reported at multiple forts, triggering panic among trekkers. In some cases, visitors attempting to flee slipped on rocky paths or fell into gorges. "This became a major concern at certain famous forts, including Shivneri in Junnar. There are over 30 such incidents at different forts, including Shivneri. Visitors are afraid of these spots now. We have put up boards at these forts, but the issue needs to be resolved logically," said a senior forest officer. Monsoon treks, though popular, also turn hazardous due to slippery terrain, poor visibility, and overflowing streams. Local rescue groups said they were often the first responders, stepping in long before govt machinery arrived. "There is a clear pattern — an accident occurs, there is public outrage for a few days, temporary measures are announced, and then everything is forgotten," said Dhananjay Kale, member of a Pune-based trekking organisation, adding, "We are not asking for luxury facilities, but basic safety arrangements that can save lives." Experts pointed out that the situation was even more concerning at forts in the Unesco World Heritage Site list. These sites attract international tourists and are expected to follow global standards for visitor management. However, trekkers alleged that heritage recognition did not translate into improved safety or monitoring on the ground. "There is a misconception that installing railings or safety signage will harm the fort's heritage character. In reality, sensitive and well-planned safety measures are part of responsible conservation," said a heritage conservationist, choosing anonymity. He added, "Globally, heritage sites balance preservation with visitor safety. Maharashtra's forts deserve the same approach." Another major concern is the lack of coordination between departments. While the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), state archaeology department, forest department, and district administrations all have overlapping roles, trekkers said accountability is unclear. In emergency situations, families and volunteers often struggle to identify which authority to approach. "These agencies need to take trekker organisations and local rescue teams on board. Views should be registered at regular intervals and, accordingly, changes made to functioning. Many forts still lack basic safety measures and infrastructure. Any mishap can occur here," said Keshav Tengle, a regular trekker. With trekking and heritage tourism witnessing a surge after the pandemic, footfall at forts increased sharply, particularly on weekends, public holidays, and during festivals. Yet, safety audits, risk mapping, and crowd management plans are still missing at most sites, said a section of trekkers. These enthusiasts and activists are now demanding a comprehensive safety policy for forts, including regular inspections, permanent railings at identified danger points, emergency response teams during peak seasons, and awareness campaigns for first-time visitors. They warned that unless authorities act proactively, more preventable tragedies are inevitable. "For now, Maharashtra's iconic forts continue to draw crowds with their history and scenic beauty — but beneath the allure lies a fragile and often dangerous reality that visitors are forced to navigate largely on their own. This has to be changed at the earliest. Then only we will be able to draw the attention of the global trekkers and visitors," veteran mountaineer Umesh Zirpe told TOI.