Pune: Gram Panchayat Served Notice Over Illegal Waste Dumping In Riverbed In Loni Kalbhor
Pune: Gram Panchayat Served Notice Over Illegal Waste Dumping In Riverbed In Loni Kalbhor
Pune, March 20, 2026: Authorities have taken action against illegal waste disposal in the Mula-Mutha riverbed near Loni Kalbhor, issuing a formal notice to the local gram panchayat. The irrigation department has held the village council responsible for dumping mixed waste along the riverbank, while a separate land survey has confirmed that the activity is taking place within a protected river zone.
The notice, issued on March 16 by the Loni irrigation sub-division, states that the gram panchayat violated the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016. Officials reported the dumping of plastic, construction debris, and waste from hotels, along with instances of open burning. These practices have contributed to both air and water pollution in the area.
Authorities also warned that dumping waste in the riverbed could disrupt the natural flow of the river. This may lead to garbage being carried downstream, potentially affecting dam operations and posing safety risks. The gram panchayat has been directed to take immediate corrective measures, failing which legal action may be initiated under relevant environmental and irrigation laws.
Meanwhile, a survey conducted on March 11 by the land records department identified the dumping site—Block No. 113 in Loni Kalbhor—as part of the riverbed. The findings, documented in detail and submitted to the tehsildar, provide official confirmation of encroachment into the protected area.
Following these developments, authorities have instructed the gram panchayat to immediately halt all dumping and burning activities and adopt proper waste management practices.
The crackdown comes in response to growing complaints from local residents, who have raised concerns about the environmental damage and potential health risks caused by unregulated garbage disposal in the region.
