Imagine a place where the roar of a hidden tiger echoes through dense, emerald forests, where a vast reservoir’s still, glassy surface reflects a sky teeming with rare birds. This is Koyna, a jewel nestled within the Western Ghats of Maharashtra, a biodiversity hotspot teeming with life.

The mighty Koyna Dam, erected in 1963, reshaped the landscape and boosted tourism, but new rules laid down by the State Government in 2012 banning fishing and boating inadvertently veiled the region’s breathtaking natural wonders, causing tourism to dwindle.

However, in 2018, a new chapter unfolded, driven by the passion of Sangram Kambale, whose “Discover Koyna” initiative breathed new life into this forgotten paradise, inviting tourists to rediscover the wild heart of India and providing employment to locals.

The beginning

“Koyna has always been a hotspot for nature lovers, hikers, and wildlife enthusiasts. With four forts, which were strongholds of Shivaji situated around Koyna, many people would come to Koyna for treks, while other tourists would visit the place for boating and fishing at the reservoir.

However, after the construction of the Koyna Dam, the government put restrictions on boating and other tourism activities, and slowly but steadily, Koyna lost one of its major sources of income. Due to this, many people running homestays, restaurants, and hotels had shut down their businesses, leading to major unemployment,” says Sangram, co-founder of Discover Koyna.

A naturalist’s soul stirred within him, a deep-seated need to heal his home. In 2010, armed with little more than his knowledge of the land and a burning desire, he began leading small groups on treks, sharing the hidden wonders of Koyna.

It was a humble start, a whisper of hope in a quiet town. “It wasn’t just about the money,” Sangram recalls, his voice carrying the weight of those years. “It was like watching a part of ourselves disappear.” But Sangram’s........

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