No New Year’s Eve celebration on forts

PUNE: NP NEWS 24 ONLINE- Like every year, the Forest Department has announced that including Sinhagad, all forts around Pune, including Lonavala and Tamhini will be closed on December 31, New Year’s Eve.

Last year, a similar step was taken by the Forest Department. According to Deputy Conservator of Forest, A Shreelakshmi tourist from Pune and Mumbai come on huge numbers and tried to enter the spots despite police arrangements.

Tourists are following a trend over the last few years to celebrate New Year’s Eve on forts and lakeside. According to Forest officials, there are more than 1,000 people who celebrate their New Year’s Eve on a fort every year and unavoidably disturb locals by playing loud music as well as end up littering the place with plastic bags and empty cold drink and alcohol bottles.

On the other side, forest officials also added that some over enthusiastic peopele are often involved in drunken brawls with local villagers and officials.

 So, to avoid these quarrels and unfortunate mishaps and to prevent any ferocity and maintain the forts from 2017 onwards the Forest Department had decided not to allow New Year’s Eve celebrations on forts.

Shreelakshmi said, “This year Sinhagad fort is closed due to road construction work that is being carried out, so tourists are anyhow restricted from entering the fort. There will be strict arrangement at all these prominent forts and riverside areas. According to our policy we do not allow tourists to enter Sinhagad fort, Lonavla and Tamhini area after 6 pm. The same policy will be there on December 31. Tourists enjoy all day long at these three places but as the sun sets they will be told to move out.”

Mahesh Bhavsar, Assistant Conservator of Forests, Pune, added, “Last year, as tourists were barred from entering the Sinhagad fort, they gathered in a huge crowd near Bhushi Dam and Khadakwasla Dam on December 31. But this year we are going to increase the bandobast with the help of Pune police and volunteers.”