Develop Villages in the Hill Area within the Shree Kshetra Jyotiba Dongar Development Plan – Guardian Minister Hasan Mushrif.

Kolhapur : Presenting the Shree Kshetra Jyotiba Dongar Development Plan, consider the convenience of devotees visiting the Jyotiba Hill and the residents of the hill area. Provide market access for the products produced in the 23 villages in this area to stimulate employment. Also, promote the unique features of these villages to attract more tourists, thus achieving development through tourism, instructed Guardian Minister Hasan Mushrif.

Minister Mushrif was speaking during the presentation of the development plan for Shree Kshetra Jyotiba Dongar and the surrounding villages at the Shahuji Hall in the District Collector’s office. Present at the occasion were MP Dhananjay Mahadik, MP Dhairyasheel Mane, MLA Rajesh Patil, District Collector Amol Yedge, Kolhapur Municipal Commissioner Dr. K. Manjulakshmi, Chief Executive Officer of the Zilla Parishad Kartikeyan S., Superintendent of Police Mahendra Pandit, District Planning Officer Vijay Pawar, Secretary of Western Maharashtra Devasthan Management Committee Sushant Bansode, Superintendent Engineer of Public Works Department Tushar Burud, Executive Engineer Chandrakant Ayrekar, Rohit Tondale, and officials from relevant departments.

The development authority for Shree Jyotiba will oversee the comprehensive development of the entire Jyotiba Hill, including 23 surrounding villages. The previously submitted plan to the government was valued at INR 1530 crores. Due to some revisions, the updated plan now amounts to INR 1816 crores. The district-level committee approved the increased amount of INR 1816 crores today and decided to resubmit the revised plan to the government.

Minister Mushrif emphasized that the plan should include solid waste management and other aspects of the hill area. He urged for a comprehensive and environmentally friendly approach in preparing the plan.

MP Mahadik suggested exploring the feasibility of establishing a zoo by considering the surrounding forest area. He emphasized the need for an environmentally friendly approach.

MP Mane highlighted the offering of coconuts, flowers, and Davana at Jyotiba Hill. He suggested considering the reuse of coconuts and other offerings to create employment opportunities for women in self-help groups.

The presentation of the plan was conducted by architects Santosh Ramane and Abhinandan Magdum from Art and Space Studio.