A group of students of Swami Nithyananda English Medium School on Monday took a pledge to conserve the historic Hosdurg Fort in north Kerala.
The fort was built by the Keladi Nayaka dynasty of Ikkeri Naiks royal family in the 17th century. It is now in ruins and wears a desolate look owing to the lax attitude of the authorities concerned in preserving the historical monument.
The students had decided to undertake a cleanliness drive around the fort as part of Gandhi Jayanti Week initiatives.
The students, accompanied by their teachers headed by national award winning teacher and Principal K.N. Aravindakshan, representatives of the school Parents Teachers Association (PTA), along with nature lovers, reached the site and began their endeavour. However, they were soon forced to backtrack from their efforts in view of the thick undergrowth of bushes around the fort.
“It is virtually frightening to venture close to the fort due to the shrubs and bushy plants that surround it. Despite representations to the local authorities concerned under the State Archaeology Department, no initiative has been taken so far to conserve the fort,” said a student.
Historian M.G.S. Narayanan, during a visit to the town a few years ago, had underscored the need to conserve the fort.
The students finally returned from the spot after taking a firm pledge to conserve the historical monument by taking up the matter with the authorities concerned, Mr. Aravindakshan said.
The pledge was administered by academic-environmentalist Periyachur Sukumaran, PTA president Sureshan Kushalnagar, Mother PTA president Jemini Joshi besides the school teachers.
