Navi Mumbai: Environmental groups and citizens’ forums have called for the Pandavkada Hills in Kharghar to be developed as an ecotourism and water conservation zone. The demand gains urgency after a recent incident where a group of monsoon revelers were stranded on the hills during heavy rains.

The NatConnect Foundation and the Kharghar Hill and Wetlands Forum have urged authorities to take immediate steps to regulate entry to the waterfalls and ensure public safety.

"Despite CIDCO’s ban on entry, adventure enthusiasts continue to access the vast hill range from various points. Bans are ineffective without proper management and infrastructure," said NatConnect Foundation Director, BN Kumar.

Highlighting the long-pending proposals for ecotourism development, the environmentalists pointed out that the forest department's plans for a nature park on the Belapur-Kharghar hill range have been languishing in cold storage. Existing infrastructure like a wall, ticketing counter, and changing room built near the Pandavkada waterfalls remain unused.

"While CIDCO and the forest department have been silent on the safety concerns, we have been consistently requesting the authorities to implement proper security checks at entry points and revive the ecotourism project," greens said.

They also proposed rainwater harvesting and creating holding ponds to conserve water from the hills, which currently drains into the sea, enabling the waterfalls to flow even in non-monsoon months.

The greens argued that developing Pandavkada Hills as an ecotourism hub could provide a safe and sustainable alternative for visitors who otherwise flock to Lonavala, Khandala, and Malshej Ghat to enjoy the monsoon.

Navi Mumbai, they added, has immense potential as an eco-tourism destination, with its unique combination of mangroves, wetlands, hills, waterfalls, flamingos, and creeks.

"It’s time to unlock this potential and ensure safety, sustainability, and enjoyment for all," Jyoti Nadkarni- Convenor, Kharghar Hill and Wetlands forum, said.

The environmentalists have called for an urgent coordination meeting with the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation, BNHS, CIDCO, NMMC, the forest department, police, and local environmentalists to address the issue.