Last Updated: 12.06.24

The ESZ Notification, having recognised the valuable natural heritage, has mandated the State Government to prepare plans for their conservation in their natural setting with strict guidelines to discourage construction activities at or near these sites including under the garb of providing tourist facilities and shall be incorporated in the Zonal Master Plan. 

The Region of Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani is blessed with many natural sites rich in biodiversity such as springs, waterfalls, water bodies, different landforms, geological features, rides and points which  have a large footfall of tourists causing adverse impacts. 

Since 2008, BEAG has been  making various representations before various Govt. departments, the Heritage Conservation Committee (HCC) and the High Level Monitoring Committee (HLMC) for including various natural sites that have been inadvertently missed out of the draft Heritage Lists of the Region. As a proactive effort, a project to demarcate and map the missing sites to develop an effective conservation plan and guidelines has been initiated in 2023.