UDAYAPUR: The historical Chaudandi Fort in the Chaudandi VDC-4 in Udaypur district is in dire need of conservation.

No matter who built it or which epoch it belonged to, it bears the identity of a certain age and therefore it must be protected, opined a local Ram Khatry. Another local Hari Katuwal said encroachment was making it even worse.

During the decade-long insurgency, Maoists had built coral trenches in the fort and used it for their warfare purposes, which contributed to further deterioration of this historical heritage, said Tanka Bahadur Moktan.

Though voices have been raised from various quarters for the conservation of this historical fort, which lies at an altitude of 1,020 metres above sea level, the government so far has not taken any initiative towards it.

History reveals that this fort was built by Mukunda Sen, a Sen Dynasty king, while expanding his territories prior to the Nepal unification period.