On Saturday, May 17, a 9-year-old boy tragically drowned in Kaas Lake, Satara, while attempting to retrieve a cricket ball that had fallen into the water. Despite rescue efforts by a rescue team, the child could not be saved.
Even in the middle of summer, 70 percent of the water is left in Kaas Lake, which supplies drinking water to Satara city. Since the summer holidays have started, tourists come to Kaas Lake to have fun and play games in the water. As Kaas Dam is located on the Satara-Bamnoli route, some tourists drive their cars to Kaas Lake, while others visit Kaas Bungalow to eat and drink.
The garbage thrown by drunkards who behave unruly while visiting the area is still lying around. Liquor bottles and plastic bags are scattered in large quantities. In response, nature lovers go to Kaas, clean up, and educate citizens not to litter. This has become a regular pattern: citizens throw garbage, and nature lovers pick it up and dispose of it.
Kaas Lake comes under the jurisdiction of the Satara Municipal Corporation. In the last 2 to 3 years, work to increase the dam’s height has been started. It is now in its final stage, and in some places, the water depth has increased due to the removal of silt. However, the municipal administration has not provided any kind of security, protective barriers, or warning boards in the area.
Tourists freely eat food with alcohol, drink, and create chaos. They drive cars on the dam wall and go swimming in the water. Accidents happen due to such negligence. Once again, it is evident that the municipality is ignoring safety. Incidents like swimming while intoxicated are common. As a result, some drunk tourists drown, and many fall and get injured. There is a pressing need for safety measures.
Local residents and nature enthusiasts have taken it upon themselves to clean up litter and educate visitors about responsible behavior. However, safety infrastructure remains insufficient.
In response to the recent tragedy, authorities have urged families to keep children away from the water and to avoid swimming in the lake. The incident has sparked public outrage and calls for immediate action to implement safety measures at Kaas Lake.
As the monsoon season approaches, it is crucial for both the administration and visitors to prioritize safety to prevent further accidents and preserve the natural beauty of Kaas Lake.
