Pune: Quick Action By Residents Prevents Major Fire On Taljai Hill
Pune: Societies Served Notices for Garbage Dumping Near Taljai Hill
Pune, February 8, 2025: A fire broke out on Taljai Hill on February 6, but thanks to swift action by local conservationists, it was put out in just 10 minutes. Laborers working on the hill spotted the fire and alerted Amey Godse, a local resident and conservationist. Godse immediately brought a leaf blower to the site and showed them how to use it, effectively stopping the flames before they could spread.
This was not the first fire on Taljai Hill. In December, a similar fire had burned a large area of dry grass. At that time, the conservation team had no blower and had to fight the fire with branches for nearly two hours. Learning from that incident, they were better prepared this time, preventing major damage to trees and vegetation.
#Pune: Quick Action By Residents Prevents Major #Fire On #TaljaiHill https://t.co/SsJf2GmkMl pic.twitter.com/XANriEKjX7
— Pune Pulse (@pulse_pune) February 8, 2025
Tree expert Nandinidevi praised the team’s efforts, recalling past fire incidents on Pune’s hills and the struggles of volunteers who lacked proper firefighting tools. She emphasized the need for preventive action, as many fires are caused intentionally by people with vested interests.
Need for Fire Prevention Measures
Amey Godse stressed the importance of grass management to reduce fire risks. “Grass is essential for the ecosystem, but it needs to be cut before it dries up in November. Our plantation area is safe due to regular maintenance, but this fire started just 150 meters away. If we hadn’t acted quickly, it could have spread dangerously close,” he said.
Despite frequent fires on Pune’s hills, authorities have taken little concrete action. The Forest Department cites a lack of funds for fire prevention, even though large budgets are allocated for beautification projects. Conservationists argue that proactive measures, such as regular grass cutting and community-led firefighting plans, should be officially adopted.
Call to Action: Citizens are demanding:
- 1. Proper allocation of funds for fire prevention.
- 2. Action against intentional fire-setting.
- 3. Integration of community firefighting efforts into official policies.
Without systematic change, experts warn, Pune’s green spaces will continue to be at risk.
