Pune Zilla Parishad To Convert Historic Wadas In Junnar, Baramati Into Heritage Homestays
Pune Zilla Parishad To Convert Historic Wadas In Junnar, Baramati Into Heritage Homestays
In a first-of-its-kind initiative, the Pune Zilla Parishad (ZP) has launched a project to transform historic Wadas—traditional courtyard houses—near Shivneri Fort in Junnar and in Baramati into heritage homestays. The initiative aims to preserve cultural heritage while creating sustainable livelihoods for local communities through rural tourism.
The move follows Shivneri Fort’s inclusion in UNESCO’s tentative list of World Heritage Sites and taps into the rising demand for heritage tourism across Maharashtra.
So far, 13 Wadas in Junnar taluka and 22 in Baramati have been identified for restoration. Many of these century-old structures require extensive repairs to make them tourist-ready. Two expert committees—comprising heritage architects, historians, trekking group representatives, and block development officers—have been set up to assess their condition and prepare conservation and adaptive reuse plans.
“This is not just about tourism. Each Wada has a story to tell. Rapid urbanisation and lack of awareness have led to the loss of these heritage homes. Our initiative will preserve these historic structures and help farmers convert their ancestral properties into income-generating homestays,” said Gajanan Patil, CEO of Pune ZP.
The ZP is collaborating with private tour operators for restoration, operations, and upkeep. Once certified as heritage homestays, these properties will be registered with the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) and listed on popular online booking platforms. The first phase of the project is expected to go live within six months.
The concept was originally proposed by Sahyadri Giribhraman Sanstha, a Junnar-based trekking organisation, highlighting Wadas as ideal spaces to offer tourists authentic rural experiences.
“This will keep our heritage alive and provide villagers with opportunities to earn locally,” said Anant Shinde, a resident of Junnar.
If successful, the model will be expanded to other heritage sites near forts like Rajgad and Lohagad, creating a blueprint for cultural tourism-led rural development across Maharashtra.
