Pune forest department begins fencing open quarry at Vetal Tekdi

PUNE: Ten days after a 24-year-old man fell 70ft deep into an open quarry at the Vetal Tekdi in a bid to save a cat, the Pune forest department has now initiated work to secure the natural pit by installing fencing around it. The objective is to prevent the recurrence of such accidents.
“We are installing chain fencing for some metres and will also put an iron gate at the entrance of the quarry to restrict access to people.So far, we have completed digging pits for iron poles to support the chain fencing. Work will be completed in a fortnight,” Pradip Sankpal, range forest officer, told TOI.
According to forest officials, the hill is the habitat of wild animals like Indian foxes and jungle cats. The sighting of birds like peacocks is also very common.
However, the decision to install fencing has not gone down well with regular walkers, visitors, and members of the Deccan Gymkhana Parisar Samiti. They said the forest fauna will not be able to access the natural water source. They believe the authorities should have opted for natural green fencing, planting trees and bushes.
Sushma Date, a regular visitor and member of the Samiti, said the accident was unfortunate, adding, “But not many mishaps of this kind take place here. The forest department can keep a guard for 12 hours to restrict people from going to the quarry. It will maintain ecological balance on the hill.”
Rahul Patil, deputy conservator of forest, Pune division, said, “We have taken all views into account. If people are not satisfied, we will talk to them again to address their concerns. The safety of visitors is also important.”