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The Rajasthan government is preparing a master plan to develop the area surrounding the Mahi Dam in Banswara district as a tourism destination, with emphasis on the Hundred Islands region within its reservoir. A committee comprising senior administrative and technical officials has been constituted to guide land use, environmental safeguards and tourism activities. The initiative aims to promote regulated, eco-friendly tourism while ensuring water conservation and local employment generation. The project seeks to integrate infrastructure planning with environmental protection in a region already known for its natural landscape and visitor appeal.
The Rajasthan government has initiated plans to develop the area around the Mahi Dam in Banswara district into a structured tourism destination, with a focus on the Hundred Islands region located within the dam's reservoir. The proposal was outlined in the past week by the state's water resources department, which is leading the initiative. Advertisement
The project involves the preparation of a comprehensive master plan aimed at regulating tourism activity while preserving the ecological and hydrological characteristics of the area. The dam, which serves as a key irrigation and power generation asset in the Vagad region of southern Rajasthan, is surrounded by a network of islands and backwaters that have gradually attracted visitors due to their natural setting.
To guide the development process, the state government has constituted a multi-departmental committee chaired by the Udaipur divisional commissioner. Members include the Banswara district collector and senior officials from the water resources, forest, public health engineering and pollution control departments, along with planning and tourism representatives. The superintending engineer of the Mahi Project Construction Circle has been designated as the member secretary.
The committee has been tasked with preparing guidelines covering land use planning, demarcation of project areas and the framework for lease or allotment of both government and private land parcels. It will also define regulatory norms for water-based activities, including water sports, within the dam's catchment and island zones.
Officials indicated that environmental compliance will form a central component of the planning framework. The committee is expected to ensure adherence to pollution control norms and prevent activities that could adversely affect water quality or the surrounding ecosystem. The water resources department will act as the nodal authority overseeing implementation.
The development strategy includes the introduction of eco-tourism initiatives, water-based recreational activities and designated viewpoints to enhance visitor engagement while maintaining environmental balance. Authorities have emphasised that tourism growth in the area will be managed through a regulated approach rather than unrestricted development.
The region's landscape, characterised by hills, greenery and dispersed islands across the Mahi backwaters, has already positioned it as a local attraction. The proposed intervention aims to formalise this potential through infrastructure planning and controlled access.
Officials stated that the initiative is expected to generate employment opportunities at the local level while contributing to regional economic activity. At the same time, the project seeks to align tourism development with water conservation objectives, given the strategic importance of the dam.
The proposed development reflects a broader approach by state authorities to integrate tourism planning with environmental management and infrastructure development, particularly in regions where natural assets can support sustainable economic activity.
Source - PTI
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