Pune, The Pune district administration has imposed prohibitory orders at several popular picnic spots, including Bhushi Dam and Pavana Dam region, to ensure the safety of tourists during the monsoon season.
The order, effective from July 2 to 31, prohibits gatherings of five or more people, restricts people from entering deep water bodies and prohibits taking selfies and creating reels in these places.
The administration has already outlined a series of safety measures for dangerous tourist sites, including the identification and demarcation of dangerous areas, the presence of lifeguards and rescue teams, and the installation of warning panels.
The move comes after an incident on Sunday in which a woman and four children were swept away by a waterfall near the Bhushi dam, a well-known picnic spot in the picturesque hill station of Lonavala in Pune district of Maharashtra.
According to a notification issued by Pune Collector Suhas Divase on Tuesday, section 163 of the newly implemented Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and Disaster Management Act, 2005 will be implemented at specific locations in Maval, Mulshi, Ambegaon, Khed, Junnar , Bhor and Velha. , Indapur and Haveli tehsils.
Violators will face action under relevant legal provisions.
The prohibitory orders will be applied at specific sites including Bhushi Dam, Bendewadi and Dahuli waterfalls in Maval tehsil as well as Tiger Point, Lion's Point and Rajmachi Point in Khandala, Sahara Bridge, Pavana Dam region, Tata Dam and Lake Ghubad.
In Mulshi tehsil, the orders cover Mulshi dam, Tamhini Ghat forest area and Milkybar waterfall.
The Haveli tehsil areas include the Khadakwasla and Warasgaon dams, and the surroundings of the Sinhgad fort.
In Ambegaon tehsil, the order applies to Bhimashankar region, Dimbhe dam region and Kondhwal waterfall area.
In Junnar tehsil, Malshej Ghat, local dams, Shivneri Fort region and Manikdoh are covered.
The prohibitory measures extend to waterfalls around the Bhatghar dam region and other water bodies and fort areas in Bhor and Velha tehsils. Similarly, water bodies and ghat sections in Khed and Indapur tehsils are included.
Meanwhile, in a joint action by Lonavala Municipal Council and Central Railway, more than 60 makeshift shops near the Bhushi dam were demolished during an anti-encroachment drive.
On Monday, Divase directed the local administration to take action against unauthorized structures around tourist spots.
In particular, safety measures in certain locations were described amid accidents involving tourists in these locations.
During the monsoon season, a large number of tourists visit the Bhushi and Pavana dams, Lonavala, Sinhgad, Malshej and Tamhini and other places, nestled in the Western Ghats in Pune district, often venturing into unknown and dangerous areas. .
The tranquil surroundings of the Pavana Dam in Lonavala have also been marred by a series of tragic drownings, underscoring the critical importance of implementing greater safety measures in the region.
According to Lonavala police, four people have drowned in Pavana dam since January 2024.
Rescue organizations like Vanyajeev Rakshak Maval (VRM) reported recovering 27 bodies from various water bodies in Maval tehsil between March and May this year.
The district collector had asked the officials to identify dangerous spots at various tourist places, such as dams, waterfalls, lakes, rivers and cliffs, and mark them as prohibited areas by installing perimeter lines and warning panels, so that the Tourists do not venture further. them.
Places prone to disasters and where safety measures cannot be taken should be closed to tourists, he said.
Agencies like revenue, forestry, railways, municipal corporations and Public Works Department should deploy divers, rescue boats, life preservers and life jackets in water bodies frequented by tourists.
Ambulances with first aid kits should also be deployed, the collector said.
"If necessary, take action against those who violate the rules and regulations," Divase said.
He has asked local officials to implement all measures and prevent loss of life.
The order, effective from July 2 to 31, prohibits gatherings of five or more people, restricts people from entering deep water bodies and prohibits taking selfies and creating reels in these places.
The administration has already outlined a series of safety measures for dangerous tourist sites, including the identification and demarcation of dangerous areas, the presence of lifeguards and rescue teams, and the installation of warning panels.
The move comes after an incident on Sunday in which a woman and four children were swept away by a waterfall near the Bhushi dam, a well-known picnic spot in the picturesque hill station of Lonavala in Pune district of Maharashtra.
According to a notification issued by Pune Collector Suhas Divase on Tuesday, section 163 of the newly implemented Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and Disaster Management Act, 2005 will be implemented at specific locations in Maval, Mulshi, Ambegaon, Khed, Junnar , Bhor and Velha. , Indapur and Haveli tehsils.
Violators will face action under relevant legal provisions.
The prohibitory orders will be applied at specific sites including Bhushi Dam, Bendewadi and Dahuli waterfalls in Maval tehsil as well as Tiger Point, Lion's Point and Rajmachi Point in Khandala, Sahara Bridge, Pavana Dam region, Tata Dam and Lake Ghubad.
In Mulshi tehsil, the orders cover Mulshi dam, Tamhini Ghat forest area and Milkybar waterfall.
The Haveli tehsil areas include the Khadakwasla and Warasgaon dams, and the surroundings of the Sinhgad fort.
In Ambegaon tehsil, the order applies to Bhimashankar region, Dimbhe dam region and Kondhwal waterfall area.
In Junnar tehsil, Malshej Ghat, local dams, Shivneri Fort region and Manikdoh are covered.
The prohibitory measures extend to waterfalls around the Bhatghar dam region and other water bodies and fort areas in Bhor and Velha tehsils. Similarly, water bodies and ghat sections in Khed and Indapur tehsils are included.
Meanwhile, in a joint action by Lonavala Municipal Council and Central Railway, more than 60 makeshift shops near the Bhushi dam were demolished during an anti-encroachment drive.
On Monday, Divase directed the local administration to take action against unauthorized structures around tourist spots.
In particular, safety measures in certain locations were described amid accidents involving tourists in these locations.
During the monsoon season, a large number of tourists visit the Bhushi and Pavana dams, Lonavala, Sinhgad, Malshej and Tamhini and other places, nestled in the Western Ghats in Pune district, often venturing into unknown and dangerous areas. .
The tranquil surroundings of the Pavana Dam in Lonavala have also been marred by a series of tragic drownings, underscoring the critical importance of implementing greater safety measures in the region.
According to Lonavala police, four people have drowned in Pavana dam since January 2024.
Rescue organizations like Vanyajeev Rakshak Maval (VRM) reported recovering 27 bodies from various water bodies in Maval tehsil between March and May this year.
The district collector had asked the officials to identify dangerous spots at various tourist places, such as dams, waterfalls, lakes, rivers and cliffs, and mark them as prohibited areas by installing perimeter lines and warning panels, so that the Tourists do not venture further. them.
Places prone to disasters and where safety measures cannot be taken should be closed to tourists, he said.
Agencies like revenue, forestry, railways, municipal corporations and Public Works Department should deploy divers, rescue boats, life preservers and life jackets in water bodies frequented by tourists.
Ambulances with first aid kits should also be deployed, the collector said.
"If necessary, take action against those who violate the rules and regulations," Divase said.
He has asked local officials to implement all measures and prevent loss of life.
