Deputy CM Shinde’s village gets naturopathy centre in state budget, ropeway planned to Vasota fort

Kolhapur: Govt in the state budget on Friday announced plans to develop a ropeway linking Munawale, known for its popular waterfall, to the historic Vasota fort to tap into the tourism potential of the Sahyadri escarpments and the vast Koyna backwaters in Satara district.Besides, chief minister and state finance minister Devendra Fadnavis also announced the setting up of a naturopathy centre at Dare Tamb, the native village of deputy CM Eknath Shinde. Located along the expansive Koyna backwaters, the village is frequented by Shinde and has steadily begun attracting visitors drawn to its serenity. Over the past few years, homestays, camping sites and recreational facilities have gradually emerged around the area.Shinde has envisioned transforming the Koyna valley region into a vibrant tourism hub to create local employment opportunities and discourage youth migration to metropolitan cities for low-skilled jobs. A cable bridge connecting Tapola to Ahire — both situated along the backwaters — is nearing completion. "People who had migrated to cities are now returning. They are rebuilding their farms and starting homestays after improved road connectivity. The Tapola cable bridge will link Konkan to Satara and significantly cut travel time," Rupesh Shinde, a resident of Dare Tamb, said.Vasota fort, also known as Vyaghragad, is attributed to Shilahara ruler Bhoja II of Panhala in Kolhapur. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj incorporated it into Swarajya in 1655 during the conquest of Jawali and renamed it Vyaghragad — ‘vyaghra' meaning tiger — for its formidable natural defences. In 1818, the British had to deploy heavy artillery to capture the fort. Today, trekking to Vasota remains a coveted experience for adventure enthusiasts. The steep height variation between Munawale and Vasota makes the route ideal for a ropeway, prompting the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation to incorporate the plan into the New Mahabaleshwar development blueprint.