Maharashtra: 27 dead bodies in 3 months… The story of that picnic spot in Lonavala, where the whole family was swept away in the water of the waterfall
The district administration in Pune, Maharashtra has taken some decisions for the safety of tourists during the monsoon season. On Tuesday, people have been banned from visiting many popular picnic spots including Bhushi Dam and Pavana Dam area in Maval tehsil from 2 to 31 July.
The administration has already prepared a list of safety measures for dangerous tourist spots, which includes identification and demarcation of dangerous areas, presence of lifeguards and rescue teams and installation of warning boards.
Administration strict after accident
This decision has been taken by the Pune district administration after the incident on Sunday, in which a woman and four children were swept away in a waterfall near Bhushi Dam, a famous picnic spot in the picturesque Lonavala hill station of Pune district.
According to a notification issued by district collector Suhas Divase on Tuesday, the newly implemented Indian Urban Security Code and Section 163 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 will be implemented at specific places in Maval, Mulshi, Ambegaon, Khed, Junnar, Bhor, Velha, Indapur and Haveli tehsils.
Ban on selfies and reels
The order prohibits gathering of five or more people, bans people from entering deep water bodies, and bans taking selfies and making reels at these places. Violators will be prosecuted under the provisions of the BNNS and Disaster Management Act.
Restrictions imposed at several places
The ban will be implemented at several places, including Bhushi Dam, Bendewadi and Dahuli waterfalls in Maval tehsil, as well as Tiger Point, Lion Point and Rajmachi Point in Khandala, Sahara Bridge, Pawna Dam area, Tata Dam and Ghubad Lake.
In Mulshi tehsil, the orders cover Mulshi dam, Tamhini Ghat forest area and Milkibar waterfall. Areas in Haveli tehsil include areas around Khadakvasla and Varasgaon dams and Sinhagad fort. In Ambegaon tehsil, the order applies to Bhimashankar area, Dimbhe dam area and Kondhwal waterfall area.
Junnar tehsil covers Malshej Ghat, local dams, Shivneri fort area and Manikdoh. The restriction measures extend to waterfalls around Bhatghar dam area and other water bodies and fort areas in Bhor and Velha tehsils. Similarly, water bodies and ghat areas in Khed and Indapur tehsils have also been covered.
Besides, in a joint action by Lonavala Municipal Council and Central Railway, over 60 temporary shops near Bhushi dam were demolished during an anti-encroachment drive. On Monday, collector Divase directed the local administration to take action against unauthorised structures around tourist spots. In particular, safety measures were designed at some places in view of the accidents involving tourists at these places.
27 bodies recovered in last 3 months
During monsoon, a large number of tourists visit Bhushi and Pavana dams, Lonavala, Sinhagad, Malshej and Tamhini and other places in the Western Ghats in Pune district, often venturing into unknown and dangerous areas.
The serene location of Pavana dam in Lonavala has also been marred by several tragic drowning incidents, underlining the importance of implementing safety measures in the area. According to the Lonavala police, four people have drowned in the Pavana dam since January 2024.
Rescue organisations like Wildlife Guards Maval (VRM) have recovered 27 bodies from various water bodies in Maval tehsil between March and May this year. The district collector had asked officials to identify dangerous spots at various tourist spots such as dams, waterfalls, lakes, rivers and rocks and mark them as restricted areas by installing perimeter lines and warning boards so that tourists do not venture beyond them.
