The global acknowledgment would help preserve the sites and promote historical awareness, they said before attending the ongoing monsoon session of the state legislature.

Members of the BJP, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) raised slogans and held banners in support of the recognition granted by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

The ‘Maratha Military Landscapes’, representing the fortification system of Maratha rulers, have been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The decision was taken during the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee (WHC) held in Paris last week.

‘Maratha Military Landscapes’ include 11 forts in Maharashtra – Salher, Shivneri, Lohgad, Khanderi, Raigad, Rajgad, Pratapgad, Suvarnadurg, Panhala, Vijay Durg and Sindhudurg – and Gingee Fort in Tamil Nadu. PTI ND GK