Team Goemkarponn
SATTARI: Residents of Golavali in Sattari taluka have decided to prohibit tourists from visiting their local bandhara, blaming increasing nuisance, alcohol consumption and environmental degradation at the site.
The village, which falls under the Thane Gram Panchayat, took the decision after repeated complaints of visitors leaving behind glass and plastic bottles, with several discarded items found in the river and surrounding areas. Locals said the irresponsible behaviour was endangering aquatic life and contaminating water stored in the structure.
As summer temperatures climb, the bandhara had become a popular spot for bathing, attracting sizeable crowds. However, citing persistent disturbances and pollution, villagers convened a meeting earlier this week and unanimously resolved to restrict entry to tourists until further notice.
The water body was built by the state Water Resources Department primarily for rainwater harvesting during the monsoon and to provide irrigation for farmers during the winter season. Residents expressed apprehension that continued contamination could compromise both farming activities and the ecological balance of the area.
After passing the resolution, villagers and local youth organised a cleanliness drive, removing heaps of waste from the site. They have also cautioned that anyone violating the ban would face police complaints and possible legal consequences.
The decision has drawn appreciation from many, with calls for other villages in Sattari to implement similar safeguards to protect dams and water sources, especially during weekends and peak holiday periods.
