About Project Sudhagad

A Fort Conservation Initiative by TreKshitiZ

Project Sudhagad is a long-term conservation effort to prevent further deterioration of the historic Sudhagad Fort near Pali. The initiative focuses on protecting existing structures, minimizing damage, and preserving this invaluable heritage for future generations.

Work Done View Media

Structure of Sudhagad Project

The Sudhagad Project is divided into multiple focused activities aimed at conservation, exploration, and community support.

A. Conservation

Conservation of Sudhagad fort is the primary aim of this project. Various factors such as growth of plants on ramparts, flow of water, accumulation of soil, and human intervention are causing gradual disintegration of the fort structures.

The primary goal is to minimize further deterioration of structures that are still intact. Restoration is acknowledged as part of conservation; however, due to limitations such as lack of expertise, funding constraints, and restrictions on altering historical sites, restoration is presently not included in the project scope.

B. Exploration

Although Sudhagad was well maintained until India’s independence, much of its construction is now covered by jungle. Several structures are buried under soil or have become inaccessible due to landslides.

To conserve maximum structures, it is essential to first identify what exists on the fort. Therefore, exploration forms an important part of the project. Alongside conservation activities, special exploration treks are conducted to study and document the fort.

C. Supporting Activities

A variety of supportive activities such as plantation and study of flora and fauna can be undertaken during visits to Sudhagad.

Given the importance of plantation in today’s environment, the Sudhagad Project also includes such activities, which can be easily combined with fort conservation treks.

D. Social Support

Many forts in the Sahyadris are located in remote regions where local residents often lack access to employment, education, and medical facilities.

Conservation efforts that ignore surrounding communities would be inhumane. Hence, social activities are an integral part of the Sudhagad Project. For example, a library was established in Pachchhapur — the base village of Sudhagad — in November 2005.

Future Activities

For future activities related to the Sudhagad Fort Conservation Project, please contact:

Rahul Meshram

📞 +91 99876 47607

Activities Performed

Conservation and exploration efforts carried out by TreKshitiZ at Sudhagad

Soil Removal from Maha Darwaza

Heavy monsoons caused landslides that filled the Maha Darwaza with soil and boulders, making passage extremely difficult. Initial soil removal was carried out in the late 1980s by Nisargamitra, Panvel.

TreKshitiZ has taken this effort forward, with over 50% of the debris already removed. The goal is complete restoration of the entrance. Contributions were also made by Paliwala College and Girimitra Pratishthan.

Water Tank Cleaning

Sudhagad has around 15 historic water tanks. TreKshitiZ identified three major tanks on the southern face for cleaning.

Organizations like Durgmitra (Panvel) and Durgmitra (Dombivli) have selflessly supported and continued these initiatives.

Cleaning of Ramparts

Many walls and ramparts near the Maha Darwaza and Chor Darwaza are still intact. However, shrubs and large trees growing on them cause severe damage due to root pressure.

Regular removal of such vegetation is undertaken to prevent further structural deterioration.

Plantation Activities

Every tree planted or saved is invaluable. Keeping this in mind, plantation drives are conducted during group treks, especially at the end of the summer season.

Library at Pachchhapur

A library was established at Pachchhapur, the base village of Sudhagad, through joint efforts of TreKshitiZ and Paliwala College.

Space for the library was generously provided by Shri Ghosalkar, who runs a school in the village.

Exploration Work

Discovery of an almost unknown Buruj on the eastern side
Access to Dhondase-side Buruj with double construction and carvings
Exploration near Chor Darwaza despite landslide challenges
Identification of four routes to the fort top
Sudhagad Pradakshina – an easy and scenic trek

How is the Sudhagad Project Executed?

Organized planning, collective effort, and community support

Co-ordination Team

The Sudhagad Project is an official initiative undertaken by the Kshitiz Group. To ensure effective execution, a dedicated Co-ordination Team was formed in September 2005.

This team meets regularly and handles planning, organization, and coordination of activities. Any individual — whether a Kshitiz member or not — can join, provided they are willing to contribute on a mid- or long-term basis.

While planning is centralized, actual execution depends on participation from a large number of volunteers during activity treks.

Financial Support

Fort conservation requires financial resources. In the initial phase, interested individuals contributed personally to execute tasks such as employing labor for soil removal at the Maha Darwaza.

As the Kshitiz Group is now a registered NGO, individuals and organizations interested in fort conservation can donate directly to the group.

All contributions are utilized specifically for conservation-related activities at Sudhagad.

Local Support

Financial backing alone is not enough. A conservation project can succeed only with strong local support.

The Sudhagad Project has been fortunate to receive consistent support from local residents. In particular, Shri Puranik, Vice-Principal of J. N. Paliwala College, Pali, and his students have been involved since the project’s early days.

Without such local participation, continuation of the project would be unthinkable.