Pune : Plastic Menace Threatens Ecological Harmony, Reveal EnvironmentalistÂ
Pune : Plastic Menace Threatens Ecological Harmony, Reveal Environmentalist ( Representational Image )
Pune, nestled amidst the Deccan Plateau and Western Ghats, boasts a vibrant array of wildlife, from majestic tigers to elusive birds. Yet, the city finds itself grappling with a formidable adversary: plastic pollution. A recent viral video depicting a tigress struggling with a plastic bottle serves as a poignant illustration of the pervasive threat.
Experts caution that plastic waste poses a looming menace, affecting wildlife across Bhimashankar, Velhe, Mulshi, and even in the vicinity of Pune city itself. “The thoughtless actions of tourists, such as feeding plastic-wrapped snacks to monkeys or discarding water bottles carelessly, directly imperil our precious fauna,” asserts Shrinath Kavade of the Society for Environment and Biodiversity Conservation.
Pune’s diverse ecosystem encompasses sanctuaries, reserve forests, lush grasslands, and vital wetlands, providing sanctuary to leopards, Indian gaurs, and myriad bird species. However, the scourge of plastic waste, compounded by medical and construction debris, blights the grasslands, slams an environmental NGO.
”Tourists who feed monkeys plastic-wrapped snacks or litre water bottles are posing a direct risk” according to Shrinath Kavade of the Society for Environment and Biodiversity Conservation. He pointed out that ”Due to the increasing population and civilization in the country, more people are using plastic bottles and other plastic waste which are harmful to the lives of animals and wildlife.”
Plastic is reaching other parts of the jungle, as showcased in a viral video where a tiger is carrying a water bottle from a water body. Apart from tigers, many other animals in the jungle are also affected by plastic.
The relentless march of urbanization and infrastructure development further encroaches upon wildlife habitats. Sachin Punekar of Biosphere underscores the plight of hyenas and blackbucks in Baramati and Indapur, where rampant expansion has encroached upon their diminishing domains. Now, the insidious infiltration of plastic waste exacerbates their vulnerability, particularly due to the heedless actions of tourists and commercial enterprises.
“Plastic ranks among the most pernicious intrusions by humans,” asserts an avid birdwatcher. “It not only despoils our forests but also presents a near-impossible challenge for permanent removal.”
This crisis demands immediate intervention. Embracing responsible tourism practices, implementing effective waste management strategies, and fostering community awareness are imperative to shield Pune’s invaluable wildlife from the perils of plastic pollution.
