Pune: Know why you should not walk your dog on Taljai Hill

Pune: With the onset of winter, several citizens have started their early morning walks and exercises on the Taljai hill area. What is worrying forest officials is that citizens bring their pet along on the hill which is causing a lot of problems.

Environmentalists and forest officials have appealed to citizens to not walk their dog on Taljai hill. Activists are demanding that the forest department should take strict action against such pet owners.

Lokesh Bapat, an environmentalist said, “While pet and stray dogs are not allowed in the reserved forest area as per the rules, some of these amateur citizens bring their pet dogs for walks. Sometimes these dogs attack peacocks and rabbits. This is endangering the natural biodiversity here.”

Deepak Pawar, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Pachgaon Parvati, said, “Pet and stray dogs are not allowed in the reserved forest area as per the rules. Panels instructing the same are also installed. However, if some of the citizens do not follow the rules, then action will be taken against them”.