12-07-2025
People staying within 100m periphery of Panhala fort fear displacement
Kolhapur: The inclusion of Panhala fort in the Unesco World Heritage Sites list has brought joy to history enthusiasts and Shivaji Maharaj followers, but people living within the fort area are concerned about potential displacement, fearing the administration may ask them to relocate if they reside within 100 meters of the fortification.
Villagers have been opposing Panhala fort's inclusion in the Unesco World Heritage Site list ever since it was nominated, even holding bandh against the move. Anand Patil, a resident, said, "People living within a 100 metres of the fortification and heritage monuments will have to forget their houses. The administration will impose several rules and regulations over us now."
Another villager, Prakash Gosavi, said, "Oppressive conditions will have to be faced by us now.
Instead of celebrating the inclusion, the people here have got disappointed, and this shows the fear we are having."
Guardian minister Prakash Abitkar, however, assured that the residents won't face any problems. "The inclusion of Panhala Fort in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list will attract tourists globally, boosting tourism in Kolhapur district. A development plan will be prepared for the fort, and funds will be allocated for its development, as well as for Vishalgad Fort, without causing problems for locals," Abitkar said while speaking at Panhala on Saturday.
Archaeology scholar Sachin Patil said, "This inclusion will make the protection of these forts more effective. Conservation is a continuous task. With its inclusion in the list, it will be maintained according to global standards."
On Friday night, celebrations were held at Panhala fort in the presence of collector Amol Yedge, Zilla Parishad CEO S Kartikeyan, sub-divisional officer Sameer Shingate and Panhala Municipal Council chief officer Chetan Kumar Mali. A grand procession was carried in the presence of the Lazim troop.
