Yeoor hills, an extension of SGNP in Thane side is a beautiful forest in the heart of the Thane city. Now as the rains have arrived, it attracts many tourists and nature lovers to see and enjoy the lush green beauty of Yeoor hills. The number of tourists is more during weekends. But along with nature lovers, there are people who like to party in the rain or there are people who indulge in unlawful activities like drinking and smoking inside the core part of the pristine forest of Yeoor. Moreover, during rainy season the waterfall near the Bhendinala stream add to these numbers. On 21st June, 2015, Wildlife Welfare Association with the support of other NGO’s Paryavaran Dakshata Manch (PDM) Vanashakti and RAWW conducted cleanup drive at the Bhendinala trail which is the core area of Yeoor through a non-profit event ‘Swach Yeoor Abhiyan’. The volunteers collected all types of non-biodegradable waste including plastics, plastic wrappers, and liquor bottles thrown in the forest by irresponsible people. While the cleanup activity was still going on, many people were seen carrying bottles of alcohol inside the forest. Many groups were also seen partying and indulging in these unlawful activities at certain spots inside the core area of the forest. This waste not only degrades the forest land but also affects the plant and animal life in the forest. Yeoor houses many species of medicinal plants and resident and migratory birds and insects. Mammals like leopards are also part of this ecosystem. Such a beautiful forest is under the threat of deterioration due to some nuisance causing characters!
‘Swach Yeoor Abhiyan’
