Tadoba on alert as wild tuskers from Gadchiroli near core area
TATR field director Prabhu Nath Shukla confirmed that the elephants crossed the Huma River and entered Kukadheti village in the buffer zone. "We are tracking their movement closely. As of Saturday evening, they have not entered the core area," Shukla told TOI.
According to TATR officials, the elephants passed through forest compartments 808, 270A, and 270B, and were later spotted at Naleshwar Talav. By nightfall, their tracks suggested movement toward compartment 319, close to the core zone.
The forest department has activated local Eco-Development Committees (EDCs) and Protection Response Teams (PRTs) to assist in monitoring and awareness efforts. Villagers are being advised to avoid solitary movements in forested areas and to remain indoors during night hours.
Personnel from nearby forest ranges, along with rescue teams and the Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF), have been deployed. They are using night vision devices, infrared drones, and elephant deterrents to ensure safety and to track the tuskers' route. Staff have also been stationed at elevated observation points for better visibility.
Officials have urged the public not to panic or believe in rumours. Any sightings or concerns should be reported directly to the forest department.
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Time of India
8 hours ago
- Time of India
Garbage dumps heighten bird strike risks at Pune airport
1 2 As many as 120 documented incidents of bird strikes have been noted in the last three years in the area around Pune airport, which is managed by the Indian Air Force (IAF). The trend signals the severity of the aviation hazard to commercial and military flights alike. Alongside, it has repeatedly been pointed out that a number of open plots in a 2km radius of the airport — primarily privately owned ones — are used for garbage dumping, creating a conducive environment for birds. There are also water bodies in the area, where birds gather. Despite Pune Municipal Corporation's (PMC) repeated calls for property owners to maintain cleanliness, there has been little improvement. You Can Also Check: Pune AQI | Weather in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune | Gold Rates Today in Pune | Silver Rates Today in Pune Flocks of birds, along with stray dogs and grazing cattle, are a common sight around the airport. A senior IAF officer told TOI, "Bird strikes are a well-known danger in aviation, capable of causing engine failure and serious accidents. The potential for an crash near a densely populated area is catastrophic." On a site visit, TOI found chronic dumping spots on Lohegaon-Wadgaon Shinde Road, Lohegaon-Kharadi Road, Gurdwara locality, Hartale Vasti, and Lohegaon gaothan. While PMC collects waste in two shifts from open areas, it is ineffective. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo The officer added, "Without imposing fines, people will not stop this practice. PMC must work in collaboration with the police and continuously warn offenders." IAF reiterates concerns The Aerospace Safety Section of the Air Force Station in Lohegaon has raised concerns with PMC about improper disposal of garbage on many occasions in the last two years. From June 19-21, 2025, section personnel were conducting a survey in surrounding areas to ensure a safe environment for aircraft operations at the civilian airport and the air force base. Coincidentally, on June 20, a bird hit was detected on an Air India Delhi-Pune flight after it landed, prompting cancellation of the aircraft's return journey. Wing Commander Yadvinder Singh, Station Aerospace Safety and Inspection Officer, in a letter to PMC dated June 23, said, "The unchecked accumulation of garbage near the airfield attracts birds, significantly increasing risk of bird strikes. This is a pressing issue that directly threatens safety of military and civilian aircraft, as well as human lives." He referenced the AI flight bird strike and added, "To prevent such incidents at Pune airport and protect the surrounding civilian population, our airbase has initiated a programme to reduce bird activity near the airfield. A key component is immediate and thorough removal of garbage in the vicinity, which attracts birds." "Failure to act swiftly could lead to serious consequences, for which civil authorities would share responsibility," the missive further stated. When TOI asked PMC commissioner Naval Kishore Ram about IAF's letter, he said, "We have prioritised this issue to ensure safe flight operations from Pune airport. We have already started implementing certain measures, and expect to see desired results in coming weeks. We are taking this matter seriously and coordinating with IAF authorities." Residents dissatisfied The civic body has asserted that it is actively working on a solution by regularly collecting garbage and maintaining cleanliness in the airport area. 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Now, they want the hotspot be declared a "fixed monitoring point" with strict penalties for offenders, as well as permanent fencing. "If PMC cannot manage a single garbage site, what hope do citizens have for a clean city?" asked local activist Mohan Shinde, adding, "Civic authorities must develop a special garbage cleaning plan to effectively address this problem. Current efforts are insufficient as people continue to dump garbage in many areas. Awareness is the most crucial factor." Akash Khandve, a Lohegaon resident, agreed: "Authorities should work on the ground to create awareness among residents about indiscriminate garbage dumping." Private plot challenge Lohegaon-Wagholi host hundreds of private open plots — most are unfenced. As a result, residents in nearby areas have developed the habit of dumping garbage in these plots on their way to work. The sizes of these plots vary, with the largest exceeding 10,000 sqft. PMC in the first week of July issued notices to 20 plot owners, instructing them to maintain their properties in a garbage-free condition. They also warned that plots could be seized if not kept clean. "We have not acted against any owner so far," confirmed Wakade. However, some plot owners questioned PMCs approach. "People living in the area are dumping garbage on our properties. How can the civic body blame us? What role do we play? We cannot afford to fully fence our entire property due to high costs, so we put up what we can. People still toss trash in. How can we stop it?" asked one plot owner. Another plot owner added, "PMC must actively deploy teams and impose hefty fines on violators to send a strong message. Only then will people reconsider their actions." A section of citizens holds the municipal authority responsible for the current circumstances, saying timely action could have prevented things from escalating to this point. "Dumping has become a common practice now. It will be challenging for the authorities to rectify it quickly," said Lohegaon resident Sangita Jadhav. Vital installation in focus A senior IAF officer, who served at the Pune air force base, told TOI, "The air base here is one of the prominent stations in the South Western theatre. It houses two fighter squadrons of the Sukhoi 30 MKI. The flying at the base happens almost daily. The fighter flying is totally different from civil flying. Fighter jets conduct various manoeuvres and fly longer over the base airspace. So, the chances of encountering birds in this space are high. It is critical that we maintain cleanliness across the city to mitigate the possibility." Similarly, Pune airport director Santosh Dhoke pointed out, "Civil flight operations from the airport have reached 100 takeoffs and as many landings on a daily basis. The average 24x7 footfall per day is about 30,000 flyers. Considering the rapid growth of Pune city, there is a high chance that numbers will go up in coming years. We need to prepare to handle this air traffic properly." Satish Pande, an ornithologist and bird conservationist, who has conducted studies on the same topic at Mumbai airport and various defence bases in the past, explained that while garbage mitigation is needed in such situations, it is not the only requirement. "A proper ornithological study has to be conducted at Pune airport to understand the types of birds, timing of their arrivals, behaviour, and why they are attracted to the airport. Only then will we be able to take scientific measures in and around the airport. Garbage cleaning is one step, not the complete solution to the problem." ______________________ Even one bird strike can lead to an aircraft crash. The level of danger it poses is significant — Dhairyashil Vandekar | Aviation Expert ___________________ Knowing about the high incidence of bird strikes is quite risky. It endangers the safety of passengers. The authorities need to take action as soon as possible — Sanket Pandhare | IT Professional and Frequent Flyer ____________________________________ Slew of Incidents (2024-2025-till June) Delhi: 171 Bengaluru: 123 Mumbai: 147 Pune: 51 ______________________ IAF's action plan to PMC 1. Prioritise cleaning garbage | Deploy resources immediately to clear all garbage around the airfield perimeter 2. Prevent open disposal and ensure sustained supervision | Ensure no open disposal of garbage, better supervision 3. Collaborate with airbase authorities | Work closely with IAF team to improve long-term measures, such as implementing covered waste disposal systems to deter bird activity 4. Install CCTV cameras | This will assist authorities in taking action through civil police/PMC as per the law Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Time of India
Nearby basement flooded, society residents fear water contamination
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Time of India
12 hours ago
- Time of India
CM hands over keys to new police housing
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