The forest land spanning Wanowrie and Ramtekdi in Pune is facing a severe degradation crisis attributed to chronic garbage dumping and the absence of boundary walls to safeguard the area. Immediate intervention is imperative to halt further deterioration of the forest ecosystem.
Despite its ecological significance, the forest has become a hotspot for unauthorized entry and waste disposal. Residents routinely enter the forest to discard items such as old furniture, mattresses, and household garbage, contributing to environmental degradation.
Alarming reports from local residents indicate that the forest is often intruded upon at night for drinking and revelry, resulting in the accumulation of large quantities of alcohol bottles and the destruction of numerous trees due to five man-made fires this year alone.
Residents have voiced concerns about forest fires caused by the careless disposal of cigarette butts, exacerbated by the lack of boundary walls to deter unauthorized access.
In response to community initiatives, the local foundation has collaborated with residents to submit a proposal to the forest department for the installation of boundary walls to prevent trespassing and vehicular entry. Ashutosh Shinde, Assistant Conservator of Forest, affirmed, “We have commenced the process of erecting boundary walls across 25 locations in the urban forest.”
Residents have also expressed dismay over the unhygienic conditions surrounding the forest boundaries, with adjacent settlements indiscriminately dumping waste. The absence of a proper waste management system exacerbates the problem, posing a threat to the biodiversity of the forest.
Efforts to address the issue have been hindered by the negligence of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) in garbage disposal. Residents from surrounding areas, such as Cloud 9 and Azad Nagar, have raised concerns about the lack of waste pickup services, leading to the accumulation of garbage around the forest area.
In light of the worsening environmental crisis, urgent action is needed to enforce boundary protection, improve waste management practices, and preserve the ecological integrity of the forest.
