In a first-of-its-kind initiative by a government body, the Pune Zilla Parishad (ZP) will transform historic Wadas—traditional courtyard homes—near Shivneri Fort in Junnar and in Baramati into certified heritage homestays. The project aims to preserve cultural heritage while promoting rural tourism and generating livelihoods for local communities.

The move follows Shivneri Fort’s inclusion in UNESCO’s tentative list of world heritage sites and reflects the growing interest in heritage tourism across Maharashtra.

So far, 13 Wadas in Junnar taluka and 22 in Baramati taluka have been identified for restoration. Many of these structures, over a century old, require substantial repair to be made tourist-ready. Two expert committees have been formed by the Pune ZP, comprising heritage architects, historians, trekking group members, and block development officers. These panels will assess the buildings’ structural integrity and tourism potential, support owners through the restoration, and devise a conservation and adaptive reuse plan.

Gajanan Patil, Chief Executive Officer of Pune ZP, stated, “This initiative is about more than tourism. Each Wada tells a story. With rapid urbanisation and low awareness, many heritage homes are being lost. We want to preserve these and help farmers convert ancestral homes into viable heritage homestays.”

Talks are underway with private tour operators to provide support for restoration, operations, and maintenance. Once certified by the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC), these homestays will be listed on major online booking platforms. Development work is set to begin within a month, with the first phase expected to launch in six months.

The model, if successful, will be replicated near other historic forts such as Rajgad and Lohagad. The expert committees will also coordinate with archaeology officials, conservationists, and local panchayats to ensure authenticity in restoration while meeting modern safety and hospitality standards.

Anant Shinde, a Junnar resident, welcomed the move. “We’ve grown up hearing stories of Shivaji Maharaj and these Wadas. Many are in ruins now. Turning them into homestays keeps our heritage alive and supports villagers economically,” he said.

The idea was initially proposed by the Sahyadri Giribhraman Sanstha, a Junnar-based trekking group that advocated for using Wadas to offer authentic rural experiences to tourists visiting Shivneri.

The broader aim of the heritage homestay project is to use cultural tourism as a tool for rural development, especially in regions with deep historical roots. If successful, the model could serve as a national blueprint for heritage-based tourism.