Archive · 18 Aug 2026
Nandur Madhameshwar Sanctuary Eco-Tourism Plan Aims at Conservation, Local Jobs
Imagine a big, beautiful home for birds — that is Nandur Madhameshwar Wildlife Sanctuary.
It is in Maharashtra, India, where the Godavari and Kadva rivers meet.
More than 300 kinds of birds live there, including many that fly in from far away.
Government leaders have made a plan to help both the birds and the people who live nearby.
They will clean the water and remove harmful plants so the birds stay safe.
Visitors will get fun places to watch birds, like watch towers and floating trails.
They can also go kayaking and ride in electric vehicles instead of polluting cars.
Young people from 12 nearby villages will be trained to be bird guides and to run homestays and eco-cafés.
About 30% of the money visitors spend will go back to help those villages.
This way, nature gets protected and local people get good jobs too.
Nashik district administration and the Wildlife Division of the Maharashtra Forest Department jointly prepared an Eco-Tourism and Conservation Development Plan for Nandur Madhameshwar Wildlife Sanctuary.
The sanctuary, Maharashtra's first Ramsar site, spans about 1,198 hectares at the confluence of the Godavari and Kadva rivers.
The plan combines conservation measures such as removal of invasive aquatic plants, artificial bird habitats and islands, water-quality monitoring and improved wetland management.
Proposed visitor facilities include a nature interpretation centre, accommodation, watch galleries, floating trails, bird-watching centres, kayaking, paddle boating and e-vehicles, plus drone and thermal-camera surveillance.
Around 30% of tourism revenue is proposed for local development, youth from 12 surrounding villages will be trained as guides, homestay operators and eco-café managers, and BNHS will set up a bird-ringing station and research centre.
- Who
- Nashik district administration, the Wildlife Division of the Maharashtra Forest Department, and the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS)
- What
- A comprehensive Eco-Tourism and Conservation Development Plan for Nandur Madhameshwar Wildlife Sanctuary covering conservation, tourism, scientific research and local community development
- When
- The article does not specify a date; the plan has been prepared by the district administration and the forest department.
- Where
- Nandur Madhameshwar Wildlife Sanctuary in Nashik district, Maharashtra, at the confluence of the Godavari and Kadva rivers
- Why
- To balance biodiversity conservation with sustainable tourism, scientific research and economic opportunities for local communities
- Location
- Nashik district, Maharashtra, India
- Area
- About 1,198 hectares
- Designation
- Maharashtra's first Ramsar site
- Bird species
- More than 300, including over 130 migratory species
- Plant species
- 536
- Freshwater fish species
- More than 24
- Tourism revenue for local development
- About 30% (proposed)
- Partner villages
- 12 surrounding villages; eco-clubs in more than 50 schools