A meeting was convened in Pune with Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar to discuss an integrated tourism development plan for Solapur district, including the establishment of a tourism center at the base of Ujani dam on the Solapur-Pune border. Solapur Collector Kumar Ashirwad presented the Ujni Tourism Development Plan during the meeting.
Pawar pledged to allocate an initial fund of one hundred crores during the upcoming monsoon session of the state legislature upon submission of a detailed proposal. The meeting, held at Vidhan Bhawan in Pune, focused on integrated tourism development in Solapur district. District Collector Milind Sunderkar led efforts to promote the construction of the Ujani Tourism Centre.
The Maharashtra Tourism Development Board requested six hectares of land near Ujani Dam from the Water Resources Department, but the issue of land compensation remains unresolved. The Krishna Khore Vikas Corporation owns land in the Ujani Dam area. The dam's original plan reserved 43.26 hectares of land for a park similar to Paithan's Sant Dnyaneshwar Park and Mysore's Vrindavan Park on the right bank at the dam's base, which has been significantly encroached upon.
Local encroachers oppose the construction of the Ujani tourist center, prompting the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) to seek six hectares of encroachment-free land. The Ujani Dam is known as a haven for migratory birds, attracting species from Europe and other countries annually. During winter, birds from Eurasia, Siberia, Mongolia, and Russia migrate to the Indian subcontinent via the Himalayan snow peaks, with the flamingo being a particular highlight.
These birds return to their native habitats after residing in various water bodies across different states for several months. The Ujani Reservoir hosts 220 bird species, drawing birders, nature enthusiasts, and scholars for bird watching. Additionally, the exposed ancient Palasadeva temple and the historic Adilshahi-era fort of Inamdars at Kugaon become visible when the dam's water level drops in summer, attracting more tourists.
Therefore, establishing a tourism center at the base of the Ujani Dam could lead to significant economic growth. In a subsequent meeting in Pune with Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, the proposal for the Ujni Tourism Center resurfaced.
Collector Kumar Ashirwad's Ujani Tourism Development Plan included plans for a water sports center in the Ujani backwater area. Karmala MLA Sanjay Shinde, Pandharpur MLA Saadhan Awatade, and senior Water Resources Department officials attended the meeting.
