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Maval
Maval
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Maval (also known as Andhar Maval) is a tehsil in a subdivision of the same name, in the Pune district of Maharashtra, India.

Key Information

Description

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The word Maval is derived from a Marathi word Maval, meaning the direction in which the sun sets. This region is towards the west of Pune area. It is hilly terrain and part of the Sahyadri range/western ghats. The Sahyadri range goes from north to south. On the western part of the range lies the Konkan area and on the eastern side 'Maval'. Many rivers originate from this region and travel from west to east. Broadly speaking, Maval is subdivided into 12 subregions. Each subregion is mostly identified by the name of a river. The names of the subregions are Andar Maval, Kanad Maval (Kanad Khore), Korbarse Maval, Gunjan Maval, Nane Maval, Pavan Maval, Paud Maval (Paud Khore), Mutha Khore, Muse Khore (or Mose Khore), Rohid Khore, Velvand Khore, Hirdas Maval etc. The highest point of this region is the Mahabaleshwar area, which is approximately 4500 feet above sea level. Maval is one of the world's highly biodiversified regions.

It was the first abode of Shivaji, who formed an army of the local inhabitants called 'Mavale'.[1]

Notable people

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See also

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia

is an administrative subdivision and in , , , situated in the western hilly terrain of the Sahyadri mountains.
The region, encompassing valleys between adjacent mountain ranges—locally termed mavals—derives its name from the Marathi word for the westerly direction of the sunset, reflecting its position west of .
Historically, the twelve mavals of the Poona district, including Maval, formed the strategic power base for Bhonsle, enabling his early military campaigns against the Sultanate and laying the foundation for the Maratha kingdom in the .
In contemporary times, Maval has emerged as a burgeoning tourist destination due to its scenic landscapes, waterfalls, forts, and lush greenery, alongside growing residential development and initiatives near hill stations like .

Geography

Location and Topography

Maval tehsil lies in the western sector of Pune district, Maharashtra, India, encompassing the transitional Maval region at the foothills of the Sahyadri mountains. Its central coordinates are approximately 18°45' N latitude and 73°43' E longitude. The tehsil borders Raigad district to the southwest and features proximity to Thane district northward, forming part of the rugged western boundary of Pune district adjacent to the Konkan coastal plain. The topography of Maval consists of undulating hilly terrain typical of the Maval lowlands, which serve as a stepped descent from the steep escarpments of the (Sahyadri range) to the elevated eastward. Elevations average around 600 meters, with higher ridges in the Sahyadri foothills exceeding 1,000 meters and deeper valleys carving through basaltic rock formations. This landscape includes gorges and plateaus formed by volcanic basalt flows, contributing to a varied relief that influences local drainage and . The region is drained by westward and eastward flowing rivers originating in the Sahyadri highlands, such as the Pavana, Indrayani, and Andra, which feed into larger systems like the Bhima and Ulhas basins. These waterways traverse steep gradients in the western hills before broadening in the valleys, supporting reservoirs and irrigation in the undulating plains. No, wait, no wiki. [web:31] is wiki, avoid. Use [web:30] url. And [web:35] for Pavna.

Climate and Natural Resources

Maval , situated at the foothills of the Sahyadri range in , experiences a with significant variation due to its topography. The region receives heavy southwest rainfall from June to September, averaging 2,000 to 5,000 mm annually, higher than the district's eastern parts owing to orographic effects from the . Summers from March to May are hot, with maximum temperatures often exceeding 38°C in lower elevations, while winters from November to February are mild, with minima around 10-15°C and moderated by higher altitudes in areas like . Relative humidity peaks during , frequently above 80%, contributing to lush vegetation but also risks of landslides. Natural resources in Maval are dominated by forests and water bodies, reflecting its position in the biodiversity-rich . Forest cover includes semi-evergreen and moist types, supporting traditional such as those documented in ethnobotanical surveys, with species like Terminalia chebula and used locally for herbal remedies. Sacred groves, such as the 16-hectare Waghjai Devrai in Ajeevali village, preserve native flora amid threats from invasive exotics like . are abundant, with rivers including the Indrayani and Pavana originating in the hills, feeding reservoirs like those near and sustaining , though quality varies with pH levels typically 6.5-8.5 in natural aquifers. Mineral resources are limited, primarily basaltic rocks quarried for construction, with no major metallic deposits reported. Conservation efforts focus on protecting these assets from and , as evidenced by recent afforestation drives replacing exotics with natives.

History

Pre-Maratha Period

The Maval region, comprising the twelve fertile valleys (mavals) along the eastern slopes of the west of , exhibits evidence of early human activity through rock-cut Buddhist architecture. The , located in , date to approximately 50-30 BCE and represent some of the earliest monastic complexes in the area, featuring a hall with a and viharas carved into cliffs, indicative of Buddhist influence during the Satavahana dynasty's control over the Deccan. Similar sites, such as the Patan and Yelghol caves, underscore the region's role in ancient trade routes through the Ghats passes, facilitating cultural and economic exchanges. Following the decline of the Satavahanas around the CE, the area fell under successive Hindu dynasties, including the Chalukyas of (6th-8th centuries CE) and Rashtrakutas (8th-10th centuries CE), though direct archaeological evidence in Maval remains limited compared to broader Deccan sites. The Seuna s of Devagiri, ruling from the late 12th to early , incorporated the Pune-Maval tract into their domain, promoting agrarian expansion in the valleys through local feudal structures. Yadava administration relied on deshmukhs—hereditary village headmen—who managed revenue and defense, a system that persisted into later periods. Muslim conquests disrupted Yadava rule when Alauddin Khilji annexed Devagiri in 1296 CE, integrating the region into the Delhi Sultanate. By 1347 CE, the Bahmani Sultanate asserted independence over the Deccan, including Maval, but internal fragmentation after the 1490s led to the rise of successor states; the Ahmadnagar Sultanate (Nizam Shahi dynasty) dominated the Pune vicinity from the early 16th century, granting jagirs to Maratha nobles like the Bhosales while maintaining oversight through subedars. Local deshmukhs, often from Koli or Maratha clans, wielded significant autonomy, collecting taxes and maintaining militias amid frequent raids. By the early , overlapping claims by the Ahmadnagar and sultanates exacerbated instability, with deshmukhs engaging in territorial disputes and extortion, fostering a of fragmented and in the rugged Maval terrain from circa 1605 to 1636 CE. This era of "Maval anarchy" saw declining central control, as sultanate campaigns diverted resources, allowing local chieftains to consolidate power through watandar (hereditary estate) rights, setting conditions of chronic insecurity.

Maratha Empire and Mavla Warriors

The Maval region, encompassing twelve basins along the Western Ghats spanning roughly 150 km in length and 30 km in width, served as the cradle for Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's early military recruitment and the formation of the Maratha Empire's core forces in the mid-17th century. Shivaji, born in 1630, began consolidating power by allying with local deshmukhs and enlisting resilient peasant communities—primarily Kunbis and Marathas—as Mavla warriors, who provided the infantry backbone for his campaigns against the Adilshahi Sultanate of Bijapur. These recruits, hardened by the demanding hilly terrain, enabled Shivaji to challenge feudal tyrants and establish initial independence in the region by the 1640s, transitioning from localized resistance to structured swarajya (self-rule). Key early companions, including Yesaji Kank, Suryaji Kakade, and Baji Pasalkar, originated from Maval, forming a trusted cadre of about 12-14 initial fighters who expanded into larger units through merit-based enlistment. Mavla warriors specialized as light, irregular , lightly armed with spears, swords, and occasionally bows or early matchlocks, excelling in mobility and suited to the Sahyadri mountains rather than pitched battles. Their tactics, termed Ganimi Kava (), emphasized ambushes, night raids, swift retreats, and exploitation of terrain to outmaneuver numerically superior foes, a Shivaji adapted from regional precedents to counter Bijapuri and later Mughal armies. This approach proved decisive in engagements like the Battle of Pratapgad on November 10, 1659, where Mavla forces facilitated the ambush and close-quarters killing of Afzal Khan, Bijapur's general leading 10,000 troops against Shivaji's smaller contingent, resulting in a Maratha victory that boosted recruitment and territorial gains. Similarly, in the 1660 Battle of , Mavla soldier led 300 men in a action against 12,000 pursuers, holding the Ghodkhind pass for hours to ensure Shivaji's escape, at the cost of Deshpande's life. As the expanded post-Shivaji's coronation in 1674, Mavla units integrated into a balanced alongside Bargir , contributing to sustained guerrilla operations against Mughal incursions during the prolonged Deccan campaigns. Their decentralized structure and local knowledge sustained Maratha resilience, enabling raids deep into enemy supply lines and fort captures, though vulnerabilities emerged in open-field confrontations against disciplined imperial and . By the late , under Shivaji's successors, Mavlas numbered in the thousands within forces that grew to challenge Mughal dominance, underscoring the region's causal role in shifting from defensive hill warfare to empire-building through adaptive, terrain-leveraged asymmetry.

British Colonial Era

Following the defeat of the Peshwa in the Third Anglo-Maratha War (1817–1818), the Maval region, part of the former Peshwa territories in the area, was annexed by the British East India Company and incorporated into the . , appointed as commissioner for the Deccan, supervised the transition, establishing direct British administration over the fertile valleys and hill tracts of Maval, which had previously been held by Maratha Deshmukhs and sardars. This marked the end of autonomous Maratha control in the region, with residual pockets of resistance quelled by 1819, leading to the deposition of the Peshwa and the imposition of subsidiary alliances on surviving Maratha states. Earlier interactions during the highlighted Maval's strategic terrain. On 12–13 January 1779, Maratha forces under Haripant Phadke, Mahadaji Scindia, and Tukoji Holkar trapped a British column of approximately 3,900 troops led by Colonel Charles Egerton near village. The British, hampered by mountainous passes and supply shortages, signed the Convention of Wadgaon, surrendering artillery, baggage, and prisoners while agreeing to withdraw from Maratha lands. The British government later disavowed the treaty as unauthorized, using it as pretext to reinforce their position and escalate the war, though the event underscored the defensive advantages of Maval's ghats against early colonial incursions. Under British rule from 1818 onward, Maval was administered as Mawul Taluka within the Poona (Pune) Collectorate, encompassing roughly 88 villages divided among former Deshmukh lineages such as the Garatada and Dalavi families. The colonial authorities conducted land revenue surveys in the mid-19th century, transitioning from Maratha-era inams (hereditary grants) to fixed assessments based on soil fertility and crop yields, primarily rice in the river valleys and forestry in the Sahyadri slopes. This system, influenced by Elphinstone's policies favoring light initial taxation to stabilize post-war agriculture, integrated Maval into broader Bombay Presidency revenue frameworks, though periodic droughts, such as the Deccan famine of 1876–1878, strained local peasant economies and prompted relief measures. The taluka saw limited infrastructure development, including early road links to Pune and Bombay, but remained peripheral to urban cantonments, preserving its rural character amid colonial economic extraction focused on cash crops and timber.

Post-Independence Developments

Following Indian independence in 1947, Maval taluka, as part of , experienced land reforms through the Bombay Tenancy and Agricultural Lands Act of 1948, which granted proprietary rights to tenants who had cultivated lands for at least six years prior, fixed reasonable rents, and later imposed ceilings on holdings to redistribute surplus land to landless agricultural laborers, aiming to enhance tenure security and productivity in regions like ./Tenancy.htm) These measures addressed pre-independence exploitative tenancy systems prevalent in hilly and agrarian areas such as Maval, where small holdings and dominated, though implementation varied due to fragmented land patterns and resistance from larger landowners./Tenancy.htm) The creation of Maharashtra state on May 1, 1960, under the States Reorganisation Act, incorporated Maval into the newly delineated , streamlining administration and aligning development with Marathi-speaking regional priorities, including expanded societies for and that pioneered nationally post-independence. This transition facilitated blocks established from 1952 onward, promoting , minor irrigation, and in Maval's undulating terrain, though the taluka's economy remained predominantly subsistence-based with gradual shifts toward and cash crops like . Key infrastructure advancements included the Pawana Project, completed in 1974 at a cost of Rs. 55.8 million, which irrigated 5,304 hectares across through a on the Pavana River, boosting agricultural output and mitigating vulnerability in rain-fed areas. By 1971, Maval's population reached 151,322, reflecting modest rural-urban migration toward nearby 's expanding industries, while road networks extended to connect remote villages to markets, supporting incremental economic integration without major industrial hubs in the taluka itself.

Administration and Demographics

Administrative Structure

Maval taluka functions as a within , , under the overall supervision of the district collector, who serves as the chief administrative authority for revenue, law and order, and development coordination. At the taluka level, administration is led by a appointed by the , handling land revenue collection, record maintenance, dispute resolution, and limited judicial powers. The current tehsildar is Shri. Vikram Deshmukh, with the tehsil office located in Vadgaon Maval. The taluka encompasses 187 villages and 5 towns as per the 2011 Census, with local governance in rural areas provided by gram panchayats elected every five years to manage village-level services such as , , and minor . Urban areas, including towns like and , fall under municipal councils or nagar panchayats for civic administration. At the intermediate block level, the Maval coordinates programs, , and panchayat oversight across the taluka's villages, operating under the Zilla Parishad Pune. For regional planning and infrastructure, particularly in peri-urban zones, is integrated into the (PMRDA), established in 2015, which prepares development plans, approves layouts, and regulates growth to ensure sustainable expansion amid pressures.

Population Characteristics

As of the 2011 , the population of stood at 377,559, with 198,487 males and 179,072 females, reflecting a of 902 females per 1,000 males. The taluka spans 1,133 square kilometers, yielding a of approximately 333 persons per square kilometer. levels were recorded at 82.38 percent overall, with male at 87.59 percent and female at 76.62 percent. Religiously, the population is predominantly Hindu at 85.62 percent (323,261 individuals), followed by Buddhist at 7.12 percent (26,898), Muslim at 4.38 percent (16,551), Jain at 1.27 percent, Christian at 0.89 percent (3,357), and Sikh at 0.17 percent (649). Scheduled Castes constitute 9.62 percent of the total population, while Scheduled Tribes account for 7.74 percent, with higher concentrations in rural areas. The taluka remains largely rural, though urban agglomerations such as and contribute to partial urbanization driven by proximity to and . No comprehensive census has been conducted since 2011 due to delays in India's national enumeration, leaving recent demographic shifts—such as potential migration inflows from industrial growth—unquantified at the taluka level.

Economy

Agriculture and Primary Sectors

Agriculture in Maval tehsil, located in Pune district, Maharashtra, remains the dominant primary economic activity, employing the majority of the rural population and serving as the backbone of local livelihoods. The region's topography, characterized by valleys and proximity to the Western Ghats, supports rainfed and irrigated farming, with kharif crops forming the core of production. Rice is the principal crop, particularly the aromatic Ambemohar variety, renowned for its mango-like fragrance and premium quality, traditionally cultivated in Maval and adjacent Mulshi tehsil. In 2024, paddy cultivation across Pune district reached 98% coverage, with Maval contributing significantly to high-yield expectations due to favorable monsoon patterns and varietal improvements like Phule Maval hybrids. Other kharif crops include horsegram and limited , though the latter has seen decline in favor of higher-value alternatives amid and water constraints. Rabi and summer seasons feature pulses, , and fodder crops, supported by irrigation from sources like the and local reservoirs. has emerged as a lucrative shift, with farms transitioning from traditional paddy and to Dutch roses, which offer better returns due to export demand and lower water needs; by 2023, this adaptation was evident in multiple Maval villages, enhancing farmer incomes. Allied primary sectors complement , including rearing for and , which provide supplementary income in rain-scarce periods, and nascent agro-activities like and integrated with crop cycles. contributes marginally through community-managed resources in the 23% forest cover of , though risks persist without formal data on Maval-specific yields. Overall, these sectors underscore Maval's agrarian base, vulnerable to variability but adapting via diversification, with hampered by traditional practices in some areas.

Industrial Growth and Infrastructure

The primary industrial hub in Maval taluka is the Talegaon MIDC industrial area, located in Talegaon Dabhade, which has been developed by the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) across five phases, with Phases I and II fully operational as of 2024. This area hosts multinational firms including General Motors, Larsen & Toubro, and Avery Dennison, focusing on manufacturing and engineering sectors. In 2022, MIDC proposed a 6,000-acre Talegaon Tech City project, allocating 4,000 acres for zero-pollution hardware production industries and 2,000 acres for residential township, attracting investor interest from multiple players. Expansion plans include Phase IV as an Electronics and Engineering City spanning approximately 2,404 hectares adjacent to existing facilities. Infrastructure enhancements have accelerated this growth, particularly through road connectivity projects under the (PMRDA). In 2025, PMRDA allocated ₹203 crore for 10 roads totaling 60 km to improve industrial access, including developments from Urwade to Hinjewadi Phase 3 (7.10 km) and Nande to Lwale in . The Pune Ring Road, a 173 km project connecting six highways, includes segments through Maval, with construction on 65 km from Kalawade in to Urse in commencing in early 2024. Railway upgrades further support industrial logistics, with the Maharashtra Cabinet approving third and fourth suburban lines along the 63.87 km Pune-Lonavala corridor in September 2025, featuring 17 stations at a total cost of approximately ₹51 billion, funded equally by state and central governments. Proximity to the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, completed in , has historically facilitated freight movement, though recent projects address congestion in expanding zones. These developments have positioned Maval as an extension of Pune's , though land acquisition disputes with farmers persist in MIDC expansions.

Tourism and Heritage Sites

Maval taluka attracts tourists primarily for its cluster of Maratha-era hill forts and ancient Buddhist rock-cut caves, serving as popular trekking destinations and historical sites accessible as day trips from . These sites highlight the region's strategic military importance during the 17th and 18th centuries, with recently designated a in July 2025 alongside 11 other Maratha forts. The area's rugged Sahyadri terrain draws adventure seekers, especially during the monsoon season from to , when waterfalls enhance the scenic appeal. Lohagad Fort, situated at an elevation of 1,033 meters, was captured by in 1648 CE for its defensive strengths, featuring robust stone walls, four gateways including the prominent Narayan Darwaja, and ancient water reservoirs. The fort's iron-like resilience earned it the name "Iron Fort," and it played a key role in Maratha resistance against Mughal forces before briefly falling under British control in the . Visitors typically trek 3-4 kilometers from the base near Malavli village, with the site offering panoramic views of the surrounding valleys. Adjacent to , stands at a higher elevation and larger expanse, constructed between 1713 and 1720 CE by Balaji Vishwanath to bolster Maratha defenses, complete with water cisterns, caves, and remnants of a decorative archway. The fort's ruins include evidence of placements and living quarters, underscoring its role in regional conflicts until the Peshwa era's decline. Trekkers access it via steep boulder-strewn paths from the same base as Lohagad, often combining the two in a single expedition noted for its adventurous sections. Bhaja Caves, a complex of 22 rock-cut Buddhist caves dating to the 2nd century BCE, represent early architecture with a prominent hall featuring ribbed vaulting and carved elephant motifs at the entrance. Excavated along ancient trade routes through , the caves include viharas, stupas, and inscriptions linking them to the Satavahana period, predating many Deccan cave sites. Located near the Mumbai-Pune expressway, they draw visitors for their accessibility and historical continuity from monastic use to modern preservation. Other notable sites include Tikona Fort (Vitandgad), a triangular hilltop at 1,030 meters used by Marathas for surveillance over Pawna Valley, and Bedsa Caves, unfinished 1st-century BCE Buddhist excavations in the taluka featuring a with horse-shoe arch. Korigad Fort complements these with its plateau summit and ruined Ganesh temple, popular for combined treks offering views of Pawna Lake. Annual heritage walks, such as the December event covering , Visapur, and , promote local engagement and draw thousands of participants.

Culture and Society

Cultural Traditions and Heritage

Maval's cultural heritage is anchored in its historical forts and ancient rock-cut caves, which embody the region's strategic and spiritual legacy spanning over two millennia. , perched at an elevation of approximately 1,033 meters in the , was fortified by in 1648 CE as a vital outpost for the , featuring robust basalt constructions including the Vinchu Darwaja gateway and water cisterns designed for prolonged sieges. Nearby , linked by a narrow ridge to Lohagad, similarly served military purposes with remnants of cannon placements and residential structures from the 17th century. These sites, part of proposed UNESCO-listed Maratha Military Landscapes, underscore Maval's role in regional power dynamics. The , excavated around the 2nd century BCE, represent one of Maharashtra's earliest Buddhist complexes, comprising 22 rock-cut viharas, chaityas, and stupas from the tradition, with intricate carvings depicting elephants and processions symbolizing monastic devotion and trade influences along ancient routes. These caves, located near the Indrayani River, highlight pre-Mauryan architectural techniques and continued use into the early centuries CE. Living cultural traditions in Maval align with rural Marathi practices, including vibrant celebrations of —marked by community processions and offerings—and , featuring and fireworks tied to agrarian cycles. Annual heritage walks, such as the December 2022 event organized by local bodies, draw thousands to witness 32 traditional performances encompassing , dances, and customs like rural attire and rituals still practiced in Maval villages, preserving oral histories of Maratha valor. These events foster continuity of intangible heritage amid modernization.

Notable Individuals

Kanhoji Naik Jedhe (died circa 1647), a from Ambawade in the Rohida Maval basin, was a key early supporter of the Maratha cause. As a , he served under Bhosale before aligning with Maharaj, whom he assisted in by providing selected lieutenants and rallying twelve fellow from the Maval valleys to bolster Swarajya efforts. His contributions included integrating local Maratha into 's nascent forces, aiding in the consolidation of power against regional adversaries. Jedhe's loyalty extended until his illness and death following a meeting with , after which he returned to his Maval estates; his remains in Ambawade village. The Jedhe family, originating from Kari in Maval, held deshmukhi rights over territories divided between and Atroli tarafs, exemplifying the region's feudal warrior class that fueled Maratha expansion. Kanhoji's descendants, including son Baji (Sarjerao) Jedhe, perpetuated this legacy, with the family chronicles (Jedhe Shakha) documenting their role in 17th-century conflicts. Maval's deshmukhs, such as those from Rohida Khore and Hirdas valleys, collectively commanded dozens of villages and provided backbone for Shivaji's campaigns, though individual exploits beyond Jedhe are less distinctly recorded in primary accounts.

Contemporary Issues and Developments

Urbanization and Real Estate Expansion

Maval taluka maintains a moderated level of urbanization, categorized between 25.01% and 50% from the 1991 to 2011 censuses, lagging behind Pune district's overall 60.99% urban population in 2011. In 2011, Maval's total population stood at 377,559, with 157,775 residents (41.79%) in urban areas and 219,784 in rural ones, indicating a gradual shift influenced by peri-urban expansion along highway corridors. Projections incorporating a 3.1% annual population growth rate have anticipated increased building density from 1999 to 2021, aligning with broader Pune district trends toward higher urbanization by 2051. Real estate development in Maval has accelerated in recent years, positioning it as an emerging hotspot within the region due to enhanced connectivity via the Mumbai-Pune Expressway and proximity to Pune's industrial and IT sectors. Numerous residential projects have launched, particularly in sub-localities like and Talegaon, including TATA La Montana Phase II (ready-to-move units priced from ₹39 lakhs) and Krisala Land Of Dreams (possession targeted for September 2028). Talegaon, within Maval, has emerged as a key investment area, with property appreciation driven by infrastructure upgrades and scenic Sahyadri foothill locations. Property rates reflect this expansion, with average apartment prices in Maval rising from ₹4,150 per in October-December 2024 to ₹4,400 per in January-March 2025, signaling sustained demand amid urban migration into Pune's peripheral talukas. GIS-based site suitability analyses have identified viable land parcels for further urban development, optimizing regional growth while addressing challenges like terrain constraints in the proximity. This expansion contributes to mixed rural-urban electorate dynamics, with urban fringes like Talegaon and Vadgaon experiencing rapid residential buildup. Maval, located in the ecologically sensitive , faces environmental pressures from urbanization, industrial activities, and infrastructure development. The Pavana River, flowing through the region, has experienced recurrent foaming due to untreated industrial effluents and , with a notable incident in January 2024 attributed to lax pollution controls by nearby factories. In March 2025, the Pollution Control Board issued directives to Fariyas Holiday Resort in , , for violating effluent discharge norms, highlighting ongoing from hospitality sectors. areas have been impacted by invasive exotic like Subabul and Gliricidia, which have displaced native over recent decades, prompting conservation drives such as native initiatives in August 2025. Infrastructure projects exacerbate ecological risks, including and altered . In September 2024, the approved the diversion of 0.3 hectares of reserve land in Maval for road widening, raising concerns over in biodiversity hotspots. Wind farm access roads in the have caused perennial flooding in adjacent farmlands by obstructing natural drainage, affecting rice cultivation in villages like those near Tambhere. Heavy monsoons in June 2025 led to severe flooding along the Mumbai-Pune highway in Maval, submerging sections and disrupting connectivity, underscoring vulnerabilities from unchecked development in flood-prone terrains. Legal challenges stem primarily from land use conflicts and regulatory enforcement amid rapid expansion. In November 2024, the filed an against a Gahunje resident for unauthorized construction on , reflecting widespread issues with illegal building in . Farmers have resisted acquisition for the Pune Outer project, citing inadequate compensation and procedural lapses, with disputes remaining out of as of recent reports. The Pune Forest Department contends with approximately 180 ownership disputes over private forest totaling over 25% of its holdings in the division, including Maval areas, complicating protection against encroachments as of November 2023. In August 2025, the PMRDA assured Maval villagers that no would be acquired for schemes without consent, addressing grievances over forced conversions of farmland. Probes into measurement manipulations in Maval, initiated in October 2025, involve allegations of official irregularities affecting multiple talukas.

References

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