Vetal Tekdi Cleanup Uncovers Alarming Waste: Condoms, Syringes, and Liquor Bottles Found
Vetal Tekdi Cleanup Uncovers Alarming Waste: Condoms, Syringes, and Liquor Bottles Found
Pune – A recent cleanup drive at Pune’s iconic Vetal Tekdi has sparked fresh concern over the misuse and neglect of the city’s natural spaces, after volunteers discovered shocking amounts of trash, including used condoms, syringes, liquor bottles, and household waste.
The cleanup, organized by Pune Ploggers, a local non-profit promoting environmental awareness through “plogging” (a combination of jogging and litter collection), exposed the disturbing state of the hill. What began as a routine initiative turned alarming when volunteers found hazardous and unsanitary waste strewn across the forested area.
“Forests are not meant to be trash bins,” Pune Ploggers said in a statement after the drive. “Nature is priceless, and our actions have consequences. It’s time to act responsibly and inspire others to do the same.”
Following the event, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) acknowledged the issue and has registered the group’s complaint. Officials have promised further action to curb such dumping and improve surveillance in the area.
The revelations have reignited public outrage and renewed demands for stricter protection of Vetal Tekdi and surrounding hills such as Mahatma Tekdi, Baner, Sus, Aundh, and Pashan. These green zones have long been at the center of environmental activism, with citizens strongly opposing development projects, including the proposed Bal Bharati–Paud Phata road, which would cut through Vetal Tekdi.
Concerns over public safety have also intensified. Reports of robberies, drug use, and sexual assaults—including a recent incident at Bopdev Ghat—have led to increased police patrolling. Citizens are urging the installation of more CCTV cameras to deter criminal activity and safeguard visitors.
The issue is not isolated. In Lohegaon Hill, similar scenes were observed, with garbage, alcohol bottles, and used condoms littering the area—underscoring a widespread disregard for Pune’s eco-sensitive zones.
According to PMC records (Jan–Dec 2024), 561 individuals were fined over ₹7.6 lakh for burning waste in the open, while another 189 people were penalised ₹78,068 for littering and improper waste disposal.
Forest officials say limited manpower hampers their ability to monitor these areas round-the-clock. The authorities are now exploring the possibility of constructing protective boundary walls around vulnerable forest areas to prevent illegal dumping.
As Pune continues to grow, environmentalists, citizens, and civic groups are united in their call to preserve the city’s last remaining green lungs—not just for ecological balance, but for the safety and identity of Pune itself.
