Cigarette butts litter fort campus; smoke continues even after 12 hours

Lokmat News Network

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:

Even 12 hours after the fire incident at the heritage Devgiri Fort in Daulatabad, smoke was seen rising from the trunks of some trees until Thursday morning. Tourists who arrived to visit the fort said they could still feel warm air in parts of the area even early in the day. Meanwhile, cigarette butts discarded at several spots in the fort campus have strengthened suspicions that negligence may have been responsible for the fire.

Within just 11 months, the Devgiri Fort was once again engulfed in flames on Wednesday. The hill area surrounding the fort on all four sides was charred. After nearly eight hours of strenuous efforts, the fire was finally brought under control in the evening. However, signs of the blaze continued to linger in the fort area on Thursday as well.

Following the incident, the administration has tightened precautionary measures at the fort’s entrance. Security personnel have been instructed to check visitors for cigarettes and matchboxes in order to prevent the entry of smoking materials into the premises.

How is the waste disposed of?

The fire was initially attributed to the burning of waste. However, officials from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) denied this claim, stating that the waste generated at the fort is collected by the local grampanchayat.

Repeated fires shortening the fort’s lifespan

Honorary Wildlife Warden Dr Kishor Pathak said, "Over the past few years, Devgiri Fort has repeatedly witnessed fire incidents. These fires have destroyed forest resources worth lakhs of rupees and caused the deaths of mammals and birds living in the area. As a result, the fort’s lifespan is gradually being reduced.

The fort has already blackened due to emissions from nearby brick kilns. The annual fires further destroy shrubs and trees in the area. Last year, a three- to four-hour programme was organised at the fort on this issue. However, despite these incidents, the ASI appears unwilling to draw any lessons."