<p>Chitradurga: The historic ‘Stone Fort’ of Chitradurga is known for its strength. However, it has been appearing like a forest in recent years. Not just the appearance, but the roots of the weeds growing on the fort are weakening the fort. Due to a lack of proper maintenance, the fort’s walls, bastions, and towers are in a sorry state.</p><p>The fort with seven concentric ramparts still stands as a symbol of strength. However, the roots of the weeds growing within the fort are breaking through the walls, causing damage to the fort. The growth of plants and trees has also affected the fort’s aesthetics.</p><p>Not just weeds, even large trees including banyan, peepul, eucalyptus and others have grown inside the fort. The trees are covering the walls making the fort look like a forest. Weeds have sprung up on the walls, including the entrance gate ‘Kaman Baagilu’ and several other parts. The walls behind the Onake Obavva Kindi, Hanumana Bagilu, and the western part of the fort have collapsed. The wall near Hamsa Battheri has damaged. Yet no repairs have been taken up. </p><p>Local residents allege that the fort has deteriorated due to inadequate maintenance by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) authorities.</p><p><strong>‘Preserve the fort’</strong></p><p>“We can grow a forest anywhere but cannot build such a magnificent fort. There is a forest nearby at Jogimatti, and that can be developed into a forest. The fort must be preserved for future generations. If it is not preserved, the day is not far when it will collapse completely,” said historian Mahantesh.</p><p>The walls near Ontikallu Basavanna, Banashankari Temple entrance, and other places are on the verge of collapsing. The roots of trees are causing cracks in the walls, and the lime mortar previously applied to strengthen the walls has been washed away.</p><p><strong>Poor infrastructure</strong></p><p>Stone benches placed for tourists have been caught between the trees, and plastic bottles are found scattered everywhere. Though toilets are available, they have been kept locked. The CCTV cameras installed within the fort have also been damaged. The library, ticket counter and information centre constructed three years ago have not been inaugurated.</p><p>The fort is a favourite walking route for many local people. They take a walk in the fort premises in the mornings and evenings. A Fort Morning Walkers’ Association too has been formed. But plants have grown along the walking path and snakes and scorpions have been spotted there. The number of walkers further came down after the recent sighting of a cobra.</p><p>“We have cleared the vegetation several times through the Association. But the ASI officials must regularly clean the fort premises for the safety of tourists and walkers,” said Morning Walkers’ Association president Satyappa.</p><p>“Earlier, we used to trek up to Kahaḷe Battheri and Nellikayi Siddappa Battheri. But now, the walking path has been taken over by weeds. Insect menace has also increased, and we had to stop our treks,” said trekking enthusiast C Raghav.</p><p>ASI P Sudheer Conservation Assistant said, “The collapsed parts of the fort will be repaired. The weeds/plants growing inside the fort premises are already being cleared.</p>
<p>Chitradurga: The historic ‘Stone Fort’ of Chitradurga is known for its strength. However, it has been appearing like a forest in recent years. Not just the appearance, but the roots of the weeds growing on the fort are weakening the fort. Due to a lack of proper maintenance, the fort’s walls, bastions, and towers are in a sorry state.</p><p>The fort with seven concentric ramparts still stands as a symbol of strength. However, the roots of the weeds growing within the fort are breaking through the walls, causing damage to the fort. The growth of plants and trees has also affected the fort’s aesthetics.</p><p>Not just weeds, even large trees including banyan, peepul, eucalyptus and others have grown inside the fort. The trees are covering the walls making the fort look like a forest. Weeds have sprung up on the walls, including the entrance gate ‘Kaman Baagilu’ and several other parts. The walls behind the Onake Obavva Kindi, Hanumana Bagilu, and the western part of the fort have collapsed. The wall near Hamsa Battheri has damaged. Yet no repairs have been taken up. </p><p>Local residents allege that the fort has deteriorated due to inadequate maintenance by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) authorities.</p><p><strong>‘Preserve the fort’</strong></p><p>“We can grow a forest anywhere but cannot build such a magnificent fort. There is a forest nearby at Jogimatti, and that can be developed into a forest. The fort must be preserved for future generations. If it is not preserved, the day is not far when it will collapse completely,” said historian Mahantesh.</p><p>The walls near Ontikallu Basavanna, Banashankari Temple entrance, and other places are on the verge of collapsing. The roots of trees are causing cracks in the walls, and the lime mortar previously applied to strengthen the walls has been washed away.</p><p><strong>Poor infrastructure</strong></p><p>Stone benches placed for tourists have been caught between the trees, and plastic bottles are found scattered everywhere. Though toilets are available, they have been kept locked. The CCTV cameras installed within the fort have also been damaged. The library, ticket counter and information centre constructed three years ago have not been inaugurated.</p><p>The fort is a favourite walking route for many local people. They take a walk in the fort premises in the mornings and evenings. A Fort Morning Walkers’ Association too has been formed. But plants have grown along the walking path and snakes and scorpions have been spotted there. The number of walkers further came down after the recent sighting of a cobra.</p><p>“We have cleared the vegetation several times through the Association. But the ASI officials must regularly clean the fort premises for the safety of tourists and walkers,” said Morning Walkers’ Association president Satyappa.</p><p>“Earlier, we used to trek up to Kahaḷe Battheri and Nellikayi Siddappa Battheri. But now, the walking path has been taken over by weeds. Insect menace has also increased, and we had to stop our treks,” said trekking enthusiast C Raghav.</p><p>ASI P Sudheer Conservation Assistant said, “The collapsed parts of the fort will be repaired. The weeds/plants growing inside the fort premises are already being cleared.</p>