Grassland Safari in Pune and Solapur Generates Revenue and Promotes Wildlife Education

Pune, 24th December 2024: Pune residents have responded enthusiastically to the Grassland Safari initiative, launched for the first time in Maharashtra by the Forest Department in the grasslands of Pune and Solapur districts. This initiative has not only generated income for local villagers but also contributed to the revenue of the Maharashtra Forest Department. Additionally, tourists have gained valuable knowledge about wildlife.

It has been a year since the Grassland Safari was launched in Baramati and Indapur in Pune district, as well as parts of Solapur district. The safari, introduced at Kadbanwadi in Indapur taluka and Shirsufal in Baramati taluka, offers tourists a close look at wildlife. This sanctuary is home to wolves, hyenas, Indian gazelles, and jackals, as well as grassland birds and reptiles. As a result, it has become a popular destination for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts.

Throughout the year, many tourists enjoyed the safari. The Forest Department organized 3,044 trips, benefiting 30 local families both directly and indirectly. Nature guides earned Rs. 15,22,000, while the Forest Department gained an additional income of Rs. 19,55,000. The total revenue generated from the initiative was Rs. 34,77,300, with Kadbanwadi contributing 75 % of the income.

This initiative has not only provided sustainable employment for trained local guides but also created a model for ecotourism that can be replicated elsewhere in the state. NR Praveen, a Forest Department official, stated, “The safari in the grasslands has become a remarkable example of wildlife conservation and livelihood generation. Eco-tourism has gained momentum in the past year, thanks to the support of the villagers.”