Saving lives for 30 years

Shivdurga Mitra group rescues people lost in Lonavala hills

They have rescued over 10 people who had lost their way in the deep valleys around Lonavala and Khandala. They have recovered the bodies of more than 80 people.


Search and Rescue Team: Members of the Shivdurga Mitra group have
saved 10 lives and recovered over 80 bodies

And they have been doing this for 30 years.The members of Shivadurga Mitra in Lonavala are by now used to the late-night calls from panicked relatives of youngsters who go missing in the hills.

"In July, five boys from Pune were exploring Rajmachi Fort near Lonavala and
while returning Shiridhar Deshpande and Nilesh Ghaitonde lost their way in the forest," said Ajay Raut, a member of the group.

"The other three friends did not know how to handle such situations, and they reached Lonavala and contacted the Shivdurga Mitra group, who finally rescued the two boys."Lack of planning and unfamiliarity with the area are common reasons why amateur trekkers often commit mistakes that can be fatal.

"Trekkers should leave some kind of marking behind so it becomes easier for them to find the path back when they want to return. Besides, most of them do not keep enough food stock with them to serve them in their hour of need," said Raut.

He said swimming under the influence of alcohol had also proved costly for many.
With the famous Bhushi Dam and numerous waterfalls around the twin cities of Lonavala and Khandala, many picnickers are tempted to take a dip.

"On the day of the deluge on July 26, 2008, when it rained cats and dogs, we rescued 13 people and fished out two dead bodies in three separate incidents," said Raut. "That day seemed never-ending for all of us."
Sunil Gaikwad, secretary of the group, is and insurance advisor. An active member of the group for 13 years, he recalled an unforgettable incident.

"Mukesh Ranwe, a person living in quarters for civilians at the Police Physical Training School, got carried away by a massive gush of water and got entangled on a branch at Liril Waterfall," said Gaikwad. "We saved him by using the river-crossing method."

Ashok Mate, a teacher by profession, is another dynamic member of the club.
"Where no one can reach, we reach. Every activity we do is with a sense of social service and we do not charge people anything for it," said Mate.