VALPOI
Forest Department officials detained 29 people from Karnataka on Thursday for visiting the Jalavani waterfall in the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary near Surla, despite a ban on entry to the area.
The group was later released with a warning that strict action would be taken if they were found entering prohibited waterfall areas again.
The Forest Department has banned visits to several waterfalls inside the sanctuary as they are considered dangerous. According to Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary range officer Girish Bailudkar, locals informed officials that some people had entered the restricted Jalavani waterfall area.
A forest team rushed to the spot and found 29 people from Karnataka near the waterfall. On questioning, it was found that they had no permission to enter the restricted zone. All of them were taken to the Valpoi forest office for questioning.
The detained persons were residents of Belagavi and nearby areas, and many were students. Officials said some of them gave false names while their statements were being recorded, which delayed their release. They were later released late at night on personal bonds.
The Jalavani waterfall, located close to Surla village, is considered highly dangerous due to the risky approach route, dense forest and wildlife movement. Last year, two people drowned at the site, and it took two days for forest and fire brigade teams to recover the bodies.
“The waterfall is closed to tourists. Despite this, the group tried to visit the spot, which led to action,” Bailudkar said.
Forest officials said videos and photos shared on social media often attract visitors to the waterfall, despite the ban. They warned that strict action will be taken against anyone violating the rules in future.
