Emphasize Responsible and Safe Tourism: Pune District Collector Dr. Suhas Divase Appeals Following Bhushi Dam Incident 

Pune, July 2: Various agencies must ensure the implementation of necessary safety measures at tourist destinations to prevent any loss of life. Greater emphasis should be placed on responsible and safe tourism, directed Pune District Collector Dr. Suhas Divase.

He was speaking at a disaster management meeting held via video conferencing at the District Collector’s office. The meeting was attended by Santosh Patil, CEO of the Zilla Parishad, Resident Deputy Collector Jyoti Kadam, District Disaster Management Officer Vitthal Banote, and others.

Dr. Divase stated that with the possibility of increased rainfall in the coming days, it is crucial to gather information on accident-prone areas. Roads in areas prone to landslides and floods should be closed in a timely manner. Tourist access should be restricted in dangerous locations, and care should be taken to ensure no tourists stay in forest areas after evening. Special attention should be given to ensuring tourists comply with regulations. Agricultural tourism centers should also be instructed to follow safety guidelines.

Measures should be implemented to control crowds at scenic spots. Information about tourists accompanying organizations conducting tourism activities in forts and forest areas should be collected. On holidays, local volunteer groups and teams should be prepared for rescue operations in such locations, with the necessary equipment provided to them. Coordination with the NDRF should be maintained to ensure no loss of life. Additionally, it should be ensured that snakebite vaccines are available in rural areas such as Maval, Mulshi, Bhor, and Velhe. Control rooms at the district and taluka levels should be operational 24/7.

Necessary road safety measures should be implemented, and unauthorized advertisement hoardings should be removed immediately. Information on old buildings, flood-prone areas, and traffic congestion spots in municipal areas should be gathered, and appropriate measures should be taken. If boats are permitted for fishing in reservoirs, it should be ensured that they are not used for tourism or travel purposes. Dr. Divase urged all agencies to commit to preventing loss of life.

Joyville