Nature trails in Bhimaskankar closed till Sept 30, Sinhagad Fort closed on Aug 03 and 04
The Wildlife Department has closed the nature trails in Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary for tourism until September 30, due to the risk of accidents on slippery paths caused by the monsoon and flooding. Additionally Sinhagad Fort will be closed to tourists on Saturday (August 3) and Sunday (August 4) due to heavy rainfall in the Sinhagad and Khadakwasla regions.
According to a report by The Bridge Chronicle, this information was provided by Vasant Chavan, the Forest Range Officer of Bhimashankar Sanctuary No. 1.
During the monsoon season, Bhimashankar Sanctuary, home to the sacred Shivling—one of the twelve Jyotirlingas—and known for its scenic waterfalls, attracts a large number of devotees and tourists.
However access to waterfalls and nature trails has been restricted by the Forest Range Officers of Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary 1 and 2 due to the prevailing risk of slippery trails, flash flooding and unknown depth of waterfalls.
The closed areas include routes to
- Kondhwal Waterfall, Chondi
- Waterfall in Khopivali
- Nhani Waterfall near Padarwadi
- Subhedar Waterfall in Nariwali
Additionally, the entire route from Khandas to Bhimashankar including Ghoghal Ghat Nala and Shidi Ghat from Padarwadi to Kathewadi has been closed.
The Deputy Conservator of Wildlife, Pune, has urged all tourists visiting Bhimashankar to strictly adhere to the rules during the monsoon and cooperate with the administration.
Unauthorized entry into the sanctuary is prohibited, and tourists found in restricted areas without permission will face legal action under the Wildlife Protection Act, stated Forest Range Officer Vasant Chavan.
The Forest Department has also closed Sinhagad Fort to tourists on Saturday (August 3) and Sunday (August 4) due to heavy rainfall in the Sinhagad and Khadakwasla regions.
On Tuesday (July 30) morning, a significant landslide occurred on the mountain road leading to Sinhagad fort, causing large trees and a substantial portion of the mountain to block the road.
