The state government is committed to making the Koyna Backwater Festival 2026 grander, more attractive, and world-class, in line with the directions given by the Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The Minister of Tourism, Shambhuraj Desai, expressed confidence that the festival, which brings together natural beauty, adventure tourism, and local culture, will give Maharashtra’s tourism sector a fresh identity.
The Minister of Tourism was speaking at a review meeting on the Koyna Backwater Festival 2026, held at the government residence Meghdoot.
The meeting was attended by Sanjay Khandare (IAS), Additional Chief Secretary (Tourism); Mangesh Joshi (IAS), former Director of the Directorate of Tourism; newly appointed Vikas Pansare (IAS), Director of the Directorate of Tourism; Santosh Rokade, Deputy Secretary, Department of Tourism; Chandrashekhar Jaiswal, General Manager, Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation; Jitendra Sonawane, CEO, Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation; Santosh Jadhav, Joint Director, Directorate of Tourism and Shri Ravindra Pawar, Assistant Director, Directorate of Tourism. The Collector of Satara, the Deputy Conservator of Forests of Satara, the Sub-Divisional Officer of Wai-Mahabaleshwar, and other concerned officials joined via video conferencing.
The meeting took a detailed look back at last year’s festival before turning to the steps needed to make this year’s edition even more memorable. Officials discussed ways to run tent accommodations, water sports, laser shows, drone shows, houseboating, cultural programmes, and the food festival more effectively, and were directed to set up digital screens at various locations to strengthen the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation’s branding.
To help the Koyna Backwater Festival earn international standing, officials were instructed to add a carnival festival, a floating market, horse riding, helicopter rides, a kite festival, a special heritage tour of historic sites, and yoga sessions to the festival lineup. Officials were also asked to put in place every necessary measure to draw tourists from India and abroad, ensuring the festival to be held between Christmas and New Year and is organised with great enthusiasm and careful planning.
The Minister of Tourism further directed all concerned agencies to work in close coordination on surveying the site to finalise the venue, managing traffic, arranging police security, and ensuring tourist safety, so that the festival can be organised successfully.