Pune: Youths risk lives to walk on rope strung across Vetal Tekdi quarry

Walkers to Vetal Tekdi have found a group of youths crossing the quarry on a rope tied to trees on both sides of the water body. The hillock is a reserved forest area where activities require the forest officer’s permission. Yet, people enter at will and carry on with stunts detrimental to their safety.

Vikram Aathvle, a regular walker to the hill, who witnessed the stunts, said, “The y had tied a rope to trees standing on two ends of the quarry.Some of them walked on the rope across the quarry. It was risky as they did not have any safety gear__ just a rop e attached to their waist. We thought they had permission from the forest department to perform such activity. ”
In January, two persons were injured in separate incidents after they fell into the quarry.
The Pune forest division fenced a portion of the quarry to prevent people from going too close to it. However, the fence has been broken in many places.
Regular visitors and joggers said the fencing has been dismantled and many people go right up to the quarry’s edge. So me sit on the cliff dangerously to click photos and witness the sunset, they said.
Pune division’s deputyconservator of forest Rahul Patil said, “We are not aware of any such stunt activities. If it is happening, we will lodge a police complaint against people who undertake the m. We urge regular visitors andwalkers to inform us if they come across such activities at the site. We will take action against the violators. ”
On posting guards, Patil said, “We are contemplating some measures tokeep watch over the activities at Vetal Tekdi.”
Recently, a film crew had driven its car into the wooded area for shooting. The forest departmen t had promised penal action but no steps were taken.