Pune Plans Sustainable Tourism Boost With Eco-Friendly Facilities At Forest AreasÂ
Pune Plans Sustainable Tourism Boost With Eco-Friendly Facilities At Forest AreasÂ
Pune, July 29, 2025: Pune district is home to unique forest tourism destinations, and their comprehensive development can significantly boost tourism in the region. Pune District Collector Jitendra Dudi has directed that an eco-friendly development plan be prepared for tourist facilities at key forest sites under the Pune and Junnar forest divisions, including Rajgad fort, various mountain passes, waterfalls, and hills.
He was speaking at a meeting organized at the District Collector’s office regarding eco-tourism development under the District Annual Plan. Present at the meeting were Deputy Conservator of Forests Mahadev Mohite (Pune Division), Prashant Khade (Junnar Division), District Planning Officer Kiran Indalkar, Assistant Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Jayashree Pawar, Assistant Director of the Archaeology Department Dr. Vilas Vahane, and PWD Executive Engineer Milind Barbhaai.
Collector Dudi emphasized that eco-friendly facilities should be developed near the Rajgad foothills within forest jurisdiction. The development should follow forest department norms using local materials like stone, soil, and wood — avoiding cement and concrete. Tourist-heavy locations should be equipped with stone benches, toilets, stone steps where necessary, wooden barricades and railings, and informative signage for visitors.
He further instructed that for works within the jurisdiction of the Archaeological Survey of India, necessary permissions should be obtained. Since Rajgad Fort is listed by UNESCO, substantial funding from the state government is possible for development there.
A presentation was made by a consulting agency regarding the proposed tourist facilities at sites such as Naneghat, Daryaghat, Amboli, Kanchan, Kalu, Dhoornali waterfalls, Durgwadi Konkan Kada, Bhivegaon-Khed Kund, Kundeshwar Nature Tourism Point, Shingeshwar Temple Hill, Bhamchandra Hill, Tukai Mata Temple, Aranyeshwar Temple, and Shirur Oxygen Park.
Representatives from eco-tourism organizations also provided suggestions, which the collector assured would be considered during the development process.
