An aerial view of Forest Escapes, a nature resort near Pune, featuring cabins nestled in dense foliage, along with a swimming pool

Forest Escapes Koyna: A GSTC-certified Nature Resort near Pune

The Western Ghats hold many secrets, but few as rewarding as Koyananagar. Forest Escapes is a nature resort near Pune set inside the buffer of the UNESCO-listed Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary, edging the vast Shivsagar Lake, around 4 hours and 187 km from the city via NH 48.

This corner of Maharashtra asks something of its visitors: slow down, look closer, travel with intention. At Forest Escapes, sustainability is not an afterthought added to an amenities list. It is the framework around which every decision here has been made.

Certified for Sustainability: What GSTC Means for Your Stay

The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) is the international body that sets the benchmark for what responsible travel looks like in practice. Its certification is awarded only to properties that can demonstrate genuine, measurable performance across environmental, social, and economic sustainability criteria.

Forest Escapes holds GSTC certification, placing us among a small number of properties in Maharashtra to have met this standard.

For you as a guest, this means every element of your stay, from the energy powering your room to the people serving your meals, has been evaluated against a rigorous, internationally recognised benchmark. Not a pledge. A verified record.

A ground-level view of Forest Escapes, one of the refined eco resorts in Maharashtra, featuring buildings and a pathway surrounded by lush greenery overlooking a river
Forest Escape, an eco-friendly resort near Pune, featuring a wider view of the resort grounds with gardens and trees under a partly cloudy sky

Powered by the Sun, Built on Zero Waste

Sustainability credentials are only as strong as the systems behind them. At Forest Escapes, our eco-friendly resort near Pune, those systems are specific and independently verified. We generate our own clean energy, eliminate single-use plastic across the guest experience, and return treated water directly to the landscape. These are not aspirational targets; they are in active use today.

  • 60 kW Solar Plant: Our primary source of electricity, covering the majority of our energy needs and keeping diesel generators for emergency use only
  • 99% LED Lighting: Energy-efficient lamps cover all areas of our property, cutting power consumption at every point.

  • EV Charging Points: Available on the property for guests arriving by electric vehicle, supporting low-emission journeys to and from the resort
  • Zero Single-use Plastic: RO-purified water is served in sterilised, reusable glass bottles in all rooms and at every meal instead of plastic bottles.
  • Biogas Plant: Kitchen waste is processed through an on-site biogas plant, converting organic material into usable energy and diverting it from landfill.
  • Rainwater Harvesting: Seasonal rainfall is captured and managed across the property to supplement water needs throughout the year.
  • STP Water Recycled for Gardens: Treated wastewater from our on-site Sewage Treatment Plant is redirected to irrigate gardens and plantations.

Aerial view of Forest Escapes in Koynanagar featuring its buildings surrounded by dense greenery under a misty sky
The inviting entrance of the dining area at Forest Escapes featuring warm lighting and comfortable seating

Rooted in the Community Around It

95% of our team comes from Koyananagar and the surrounding villages. Our kitchen follows the same principle: vegetables and cereals are sourced from local farmers within 25 km, and the fish on our menu is sourced directly from the Koyna River, which holds the distinction of being Maharashtra's cleanest river, free from pollutants.

These are relationships built over years, with the farmers, fishermen, and families who live here. What arrives on your plate has rarely travelled far.

Ecotique: Every Purchase Has a Purpose

Forest Escapes is one of the eco resorts in Maharashtra that takes the guest experience beyond the property boundary. Our in-house store, Ecotique, is built around partnerships with grassroots NGOs and self-help groups from across the country.

Every item available, from handcrafted tribal goods to plantable stationery that sprouts when placed in soil, channels a portion of its value directly back into the communities that created it.

What You'll Find at Ecotique

  • Tribal Crafts: Handmade pieces from artisan communities, preserving traditional craft knowledge and providing direct income to makers
  • Bamboo and Coconut Shell Products: Everyday essentials crafted from sustainable materials, designed to replace plastic alternatives
  • Handmade Soaps and Forest Wellness Products: Prepared using natural ingredients, free from synthetic chemicals
  • Plantable Stationery and Seed Bombs: Paper products embedded with seeds that grow when planted, turning everyday stationery into a conservation act
  • Upcycled Decor and Cloth Bags: Items made from repurposed materials, designed to minimise waste at the source

Several soap bars arranged side by side, bound together with a piece of thread
A bedroom with a wooden bed frame with white linens under a ceiling fan, an air conditioner over the sliding glass door leading to a balcony with a view

Plan a Stay that Gives Back

A stay at Forest Escapes leaves behind something less common than a memory: a clear sense of where your time went, who it supported, and what it helped protect.

Our resort was built to function as a responsible actor in one of India's most ecologically significant landscapes, and the GSTC certification is the record of that commitment.

For teams planning an eco-friendly corporate retreat near Pune, our property also hosts conferences and off-sites in a 2,000 sq. ft. naturally ventilated banquet hall. With ample space for up to 100 guests at ease, our event space comes with dynamic seating arrangements and audiovisual equipment on request.

Set within the pristine surroundings of Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary in the Western Ghats, Forest Escapes is a stay that aligns comfort with consciousness. We bring together meaningful travel, ecological responsibility, and immersive natural experiences, offering not just a retreat but a more thoughtful way to engage with the landscape.

FAQs

What is GSTC certification, and what does it mean for a stay at Forest Escapes?

The GSTC is the international body that sets the global benchmark for responsible tourism. Forest Escapes holds this certification, having been independently assessed across environmental, social, and economic sustainability criteria. We are among a small number of properties in Maharashtra to have earned this standard.

How far is Forest Escapes from Pune?

Forest Escapes in Koynanagar is approximately 187 km from Pune, around a 4-hour drive via NH 48. We are located within the buffer of the Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary.

What energy and waste practices does Forest Escapes follow?

We follow responsible energy and waste practices through solar-powered electricity, LED lighting, EV charging support, zero single-use plastic usage, biogas-based waste processing, rainwater harvesting, and recycling treated wastewater for irrigation.

Is the food at Forest Escapes locally sourced?

Yes, vegetables and cereals are sourced from farmers within 25 km, and fish is brought directly from the Koyna River. Our kitchen team is made up of local people who prepare authentic regional cuisine.

What is Ecotique, and who benefits from purchases made there?

Ecotique is our in-house store, stocking tribal crafts, bamboo products, plantable stationery, handmade soaps, and upcycled goods. Each purchase supports rural livelihoods through partnerships with grassroots NGOs.

Is Forest Escapes a suitable eco-friendly resort near Pune for corporate events?

Yes, Forest Escapes has a 2,000 sq. ft. naturally ventilated banquet hall that seats up to 100 guests, with dynamic seating arrangements. Audio-visual equipment is available on request.

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