UTNOOR (ADILABAD): The locals have been using the premises of the historical Adivasi Gond Raja’s Fort for open defecation and moreover, most of the fort is overgrown with bushes resulting in the glorious history of Adivasi rulers fading.
The fort came up when Atram Bheershah ruled the area until the middle of the 18th century. The fort is in a dilapidated condition due to the negligence of the authorities and experts agree that it is time for the restoration of the historical fort in order to restore the past glory of the Adivasis in the Gondwana region.
A shocking fact that has come to light is that some people are not only misusing the premises but some are even taking away stones from the dilapidated fort and using them in the construction of their houses. Apart from that, miscreants are also using the place for anti-social activities.
The Tourism Department has failed to develop the Fort as a tourist place and protect the ancient structure. The Archeology and Tourism Departments have failed to even to erect a compound wall around the Fort.
Even some treasure hunters are digging inside the fort and damaging the structure in search of hidden treasure since the fort was constructed by Gond Rajas who used to have huge reserves of gold and silver instead of hard cash.
Vemana Vasanthalaxmi of Hyderabad who recently visited the Gond Rajas Fort in Utnoor was shocked on seeing the fort. “The authorities concerned should take steps to protect the historical structure and maintain the it properly so that at least people from outside visit it to learnt about the history of the Adivasis and their past glory,” she said. The fort premises had become so soiled because of defecation, it is difficult to walk around it, she said.
Adilabad MP and Thudumdebba state president Soyam Bapurao said “The state government should take steps for the restoration of the historical structure and the condition of the fort shows the negligence of authorities towards the history of the Adivasis.”
