Collector prohibits tourists from visiting Khadakwasla, Bhushi dam and other monsoon destinations

Dams like Khadakwasla, Panshet, Bhushi and some others attract huge crowds, mostly from the city, during monsoon and mishaps are not uncommon.

This year Punekars will not be able to enjoy rains at their favourite destinations, as Pune district collector Naval Kishore Ram has ordered to ban entry to all tourist places frequented by people during monsoon season, in the backdrop of Covid-19 pandemic.

“We have prohibited people from visiting the catchment areas of dams around Pune in view of the pandemic and other safety reasons,” said Pune Collector Naval Kishore Ram on Monday. (HT file photo)

The district collector issued the order, on Sunday, under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.

As per the order, the entry of people has been restricted to Bhushi dam and Lonavla area in Maval taluka, Mulshi dam and Tamhini ghat in Mulshi taluka, Khadakwasla dam in Haveli taluka, Malshej ghat in Junnar taluka, Bhatghar dam, fort area in Bhor taluka, Panshet dam and other areas in Velhe taluka, Bhimashankar in Ambegaon taluka and other tourist places.

These places attract large number of tourists on the weekend in monsoon season. To control crowd, Lonavla police also have to deal with hard times in handling the public. In the past, there have been many cases were people have lost their lives due sudden rise in water level.

“If people are found violating the order, an offence under Section 188 will be registered against them,” said Ram.

After issuing the order, Ram also tweeted clarifying that one is allowed visit Maval and Mulshi but movement to the dam is restricted. “We have prohibited only visiting dams in Maval and Mulshi Talukas. There are no restrictions in going to these talukas including Lonawala and other places for necessary works as per the guidelines,” tweeted Ram.

Sanjay Jadhav who enjoys an outing at Mulshi dam every monsoon, said “Keeping in mind Covid threat, it is good that government has issued an order. Pune people frequent these places in monsoon and now ban will restrict them.”

Another regular trekker, Kiran Shinde supported the collector order. “People generally trek or visit dams in groups and there is no social distance at all between group members. I will miss the fun but in current situation we should not take any risk, he said.”

This decision will hit hard to vendors who put on stalls of tea, wadapav at the dams.