Palghar District Collector Dr. Indu Rani Jakhar has urged government departments to work together in transforming tribal-dominated Jawhar and Mokhada talukas into Maharashtra’s leading sustainable tourism hubs, combining ecological conservation with rural livelihood opportunities.

After a field visit on Friday (June 12, 2026) with senior officials from the forest, PWD, and tribal development departments, she reviewed a series of key infrastructure and public service projects aimed at transforming local livelihoods, as per a release issued by the district administration on Saturday (June 13, 2026).

Ms. Jakhar unveiled a comprehensive development vision for these tribal talukas, focusing on infrastructure, water conservation, and community-driven tourism.

“Tourism must extend beyond attractions to create a complete visitor experience while acting as a catalyst for local employment,” the release quoted the collector as saying.

As part of the tourism push, the collector reviewed a ₹1.2 crore two-way zipline project at Kasatwadi, slated to open within a month, and a proposed ₹2 crore skywalk glass bridge at Dabhosa waterfall on a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model.

To evaluate connectivity gaps, she trekked nearly four kilometres through difficult terrain to reach Khairmal village, subsequently directing the PWD to prepare a bridge proposal for the Gatepada-Ayare route.

In Mokhada, the collector inaugurated a newly established Maha e-Seva Centre to streamline public service delivery for rural residents.

On water security, she instructed agencies to prioritise desilting and repairing existing gabion and check dams to boost water storage ahead of the monsoon.

The administration plans to promote village homestay clusters under the Dharati Aaba Janjatiya initiative and scale up community-led models like the Jawhar Camping project at Dhaparpada, the release said.

Published – June 14, 2026 11:52 am IST