Pune: Environmentalist Warns of Landslide Risk as Land Mafia Levels Taljai Hill

Hingne Khurd, 23rd August 2024: The backside of Taljai Hill in Hingne Khurd is being levelled by the land mafia, posing a risk of future landslides. Environmentalist Anant Gharat has urged the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and the Maharashtra Forest Department to take immediate action to prevent landslides in the area. He has also called on the PMC Commissioner and Haveli Tehsildar to address the issue urgently to avoid a disaster similar to the one in Wayanad. Additionally, he also requested Guardian Minister Ajit Pawar to initiate the ‘Ladka Dongar Yojana’ for Pune.

The land mafia is deceiving both the public and the administration by creating unauthorized plots on Pune’s hills despite existing BDP reservations. The land mafia has blocked a natural 40-foot drain in the development plan near Atharva Nagar in Hingne Khurd. Furthermore, waterfalls, natural springs, and streams originating from the Taljai mountains have been destroyed due to mountain excavation. Hundreds of trucks have been used for mining secondary minerals from the mountains, but no action has been taken against those responsible.

The owner and developer have completely levelled the hill up to the forest department wall of Taljai Hill. Hence, heavy rain could lead to the collapse of the forest department’s wall, potentially causing an accident. Gharat warns that a Wayanad-like incident is highly likely in Hingne Khurd and demands that the administration take action against the perpetrators.