The Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) is on the verge of securing forest department approval for its ambitious skywalk project connecting Tiger and Lion points in Lonavala. The project, spanning 20.9 hectares of forest land, is expected to receive the go-ahead within a week.
PMRDA has sought 18.8 hectares from Kuravande village and 2.1 hectares from Maval taluka for the skywalk. Officials have confirmed that the proposed land does not host rare or endangered plant or animal species, and the region’s terrain is conducive to preventing erosion, with no surrounding animal corridors or wildlife sanctuaries.
The screening committee of the Nagpur Forest Department has granted approval to the proposal, and the Maharashtra eco-tourism development, under the forest department’s jurisdiction, endorsed the project in January. The Pune Forest Division’s recommendations, presented to the screening committee, will be considered before final submission to the Center for approval.
The 125-meter-long and 6-meter-wide skywalk will be constructed by the state government, with a budget allocation of Rs 333.5 crore. The project is slated to commence within a year if all approvals are granted. To compensate for the expected felling of 200 trees, PMRDA plans compensatory afforestation in surveys 62 and 63 of Kondivare village, along with survey 253 of Sudhavadi village.
The Pune Forest Division has proposed a 15-meter access road and an 11-meter overpass to accommodate the influx of tourists. Additionally, suggestions include parking facilities, restrooms, pavilions, an amphitheater, and a food park at both sites. The Lion and Tiger points, integral to the forest department’s 10-year operational strategy, attract 9 lakh visitors annually, generating revenue of Rs 40 lakh and creating 4,000 man-days of employment.
With a target of Rs 30 crore revenue and an influx of 20 lakh tourists per year, the division aims to increase job opportunities to 30,000 man-days annually upon receiving the necessary approvals.
