Eco-Friendly Tourism Development Planned for Rajgad, Junnar Forest Areas: Pune District Collector Issues Directives
Pune, 30th July 2025: Pune District is home to unique forest tourism destinations that, if fully developed, could significantly boost local tourism, said Pune District Collector Jitendra Dudi during a meeting on the District Annual Plan for forest tourism development.
The meeting included officials from the Pune Forest Division, including Deputy Conservator of Forests Mahadev Mohite and Junnar DCF Prashant Khade, along with Planning Officer Kiran Indalkar, ACF (Wildlife) Jayashree Pawar, Assistant Director of Archaeology Dr. Vilas Wahane, and PWD Executive Engineer Milind Barbhai.
Collector Dudi instructed the forest department to submit a detailed eco-friendly development plan for tourist facilities at locations such as Rajgad Fort and scenic areas under the Junnar Forest Division, ghats, waterfalls, and hill sites. These facilities must follow forest department norms and incorporate local materials like stone, wood, and soil to ensure sustainable infrastructure.
Suggested developments include stone benches, toilets, small stone pathways, wooden barricading, and railings at high-footfall locations. Informational signage should be installed to educate tourists about each site. For works within Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)-protected zones, necessary clearances must be obtained.
With Rajgad Fort recently included in UNESCO’s tentative list, state government funding is likely for infrastructure development, Dudi noted. A presentation from the consultant agency outlined the proposed facilities and environmental considerations for each site.
