Vetal Hill
Encyclopedia
Vetal Hill is a prominent hill in the city limits of Pune
, India
. The hill is the highest point within the city limits, with an elevation of 2600 ft. There is a temple of Vetala
located on the top of the hill from which the hill derives its name. The place is an excellent getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city and provides a great morning trek location for the weekends. The Indian Forest Department maintains an observation deck near the temple. The hill is also known by its Marathi name, Vetal Tekdi. One can view the whole of Pune from the top in a clear day.
Vetal Hill is the highest point in Pune
, India
, capping off at about 800 metres (2,624.7 ft). A temple of Vetal, from which the name of the hill is derived, is situated near this point. The Indian Forest Department maintains an observation deck near the temple. The hill is also known by its Marathi
name, Vetal Tekdi.
, Panchavati, Chaturshringi and other parts of the city. It is located near Chaturshringi, near Pune University. It has two spurs, Fergussen College Hill and Chaturshringi Hill
. The geographical area is 180 30’ to 180 32’ N and 730 49’ to 730 52’ E covering an area of 10.5 square kilometre.
Pune is surrounded by many hills including Katraj hill, Panchgao, Parvati, Ramtekdi, Gultekdi, Range Hills, Dive Ghat. Vetal hill is one of the important hill situated in city area. It runs North-South with some spurs running perpendicular to this hill. Vetal hill runs across areas like SNDT Women's University
, ILS Law College
, Gokhale Nagar, Symbiosis Society and Chatushringi. Important spurs of Vetal hill are Fergusson College Hill and Chaturshringi Hill
.
Its location in google maps
The area shares almost same climatic conditions as that of Pune in the rest of the time.
as that of hills around Pune. Medium sized trees along with shrubs constitute majority of the vegetation. Diversity of herbaceous species is at its peak in monsoon months. Some parasites like Dendropthoe, Striga are also reported in the area. One important characteristic of the area is total absent of epiphytic species. Detailed Floristic Study of Vetal Hill was carried out by V. N. Joshi and M. S. Kumbhojakar of Agharkar Research Institute, Pune in 1997. They enumerated occurrence of 416 species of angiosperms belonging to 101 families, 2 pteridophytes and one Bryophyte.
Much before Joshi and Kumbhojkar’s work, ecological survey of the hill was conducted by Ezekiel around 1917-1918. Joshi, Kumbhojkar and Kulkarni in their work on changing floristic pattern of Vetal hill (1992) reported absence of 30 species which were reported by Ezekiel.
The dominant plant community in the area is Boswellia serrata-Anogeissus latifolia. Other dominant members of this area are Dalbergia lanceolaria, Acacia chundra, Dolichandrone falcata, Albizzia procera, Capparis grandis. Some herbaceous and shrubby weeds which are now naturalized in the area include Tridax procumbens, Lagascea moollis, Cassia uniflora, Lantana camara
. Plantation of some exotic species like Gliricidia sepium, Leucaena leucocephala has been undertaken by forest department. Dalbergia melanoxylon is one interesting example for spread of exotic species. This species was planted by Britishers in Pune University area. This species was totally absent on other areas of Pune. Recently however, the species is observed to be spreading in and around the area of the Vetal Hill, and is on the verge of becoming dominant species there.
The area is important on account of the occurrence of some important endemic species. Some examples of the endemic species found here are Jatropha nana, Cissus woodrowii, Mussanda laxa, Indoneesiella echioides, etc.
as that of hills around Pune. Medium sized trees along with shrubs constitute majority of the vegetation. Diversity of herbaceous species is at its peak in monsoon months. Some parasites like Dendropthoe, Striga are also reported in the area. One important characteristic of the area is total absent of epiphytic species. Detailed Floristic Study of Vetal Hill was carried out by V. N. Joshi and M. S. Kumbhojakar of Agharkar Research Institute, Pune in 1997. They enumerated occurrence of 416 species of angiosperms belonging to 101 families, 2 pteridophytes and one Bryophyte.
Much before Joshi and Kumbhojkar’s work, ecological survey of the hill was conducted by Ezekiel around 1917-1918. Joshi, Kumbhojkar and Kulkarni in their work on changing floristic pattern of Vetal hill (1992) reported absence of 30 species which were reported by Ezekiel.
The dominant plant community in the area is Boswellia serrata-Anogeissus latifolia. Other dominant members of this area are Dalbergia lanceolaria, Acacia chundra, Dolichandrone falcata, Albizzia procera, Capparis grandis. Some herbaceous and shrubby weeds which are now naturalized in the area include Tridax procumbens, Lagascea moollis, Cassia uniflora, Lantana camara
. Plantation of some exotic species like Gliricidia sepium, Leucaena leucocephala has been undertaken by forest department. Dalbergia melanoxylon is one interesting example for spread of exotic species. This species was planted by Britishers in Pune University area. This species was totally absent on other areas of Pune. Recently however, the species is observed to be spreading in and around the area of the Vetal Hill, and is on the verge of becoming dominant species there.
The area is important on account of the occurrence of some important endemic species. Some examples of the endemic species found here are Jatropha nana, Cissus woodrowii, Mussanda laxa, Indoneesiella echioides, etc.
or by state forest Department have resulted in growth of many ornamental and exotic species.The Forest Department has also build proper fences to safeguard animals and birds especially peacocks
also providing them with appropriate water supply. This has affected in some or other way on the natural vegetation of the hill.
A new road connecting Balbharati and Paud Phata is proposed so as to decrease traffic pressure in Nal Stop
Chowk. The road will cut across a nearly two kilometre patch of forest on vetal hill, cutting close to ten thousand fully matured and grown trees. The proposed bypass will bring automobile pollution, noise and congestion into the heart of a green area at the foot and lower ridge of the Vetal hill. This is a catastrophic proposal and will destroy one of the last virgin green areas left in Pune.
Several citizen groups and activists have opposed the proposal. Twelve NGOs recently wrote a letter to the PMC opposing the road. A blog and an online petition was promoted to stop the construction of the road. Nagrik Chetana Manch has gone to the Mumbai high Court in a PIL and the HC has stayed the construction of the road.
Due to increased urbanization and increased population the biotic pressure in the form of cutting of trees has increased on forest of Vetal Hill.ARAI
is located in vetal hills.
Pune
Pune , is the eighth largest metropolis in India, the second largest in the state of Maharashtra after Mumbai, and the largest city in the Western Ghats. Once the centre of power of the Maratha Empire, it is situated 560 metres above sea level on the Deccan plateau at the confluence of the Mula ...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. The hill is the highest point within the city limits, with an elevation of 2600 ft. There is a temple of Vetala
Vetala
A vetala is a ghost-like being from Hindu mythology. The vetala are defined as spirits inhabiting corpses and charnel grounds...
located on the top of the hill from which the hill derives its name. The place is an excellent getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city and provides a great morning trek location for the weekends. The Indian Forest Department maintains an observation deck near the temple. The hill is also known by its Marathi name, Vetal Tekdi. One can view the whole of Pune from the top in a clear day.
Vetal Hill is the highest point in Pune
Pune
Pune , is the eighth largest metropolis in India, the second largest in the state of Maharashtra after Mumbai, and the largest city in the Western Ghats. Once the centre of power of the Maratha Empire, it is situated 560 metres above sea level on the Deccan plateau at the confluence of the Mula ...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, capping off at about 800 metres (2,624.7 ft). A temple of Vetal, from which the name of the hill is derived, is situated near this point. The Indian Forest Department maintains an observation deck near the temple. The hill is also known by its Marathi
Marathi language
Marathi is an Indo-Aryan language spoken by the Marathi people of western and central India. It is the official language of the state of Maharashtra. There are over 68 million fluent speakers worldwide. Marathi has the fourth largest number of native speakers in India and is the fifteenth most...
name, Vetal Tekdi.
Location and Physiography
Vetal Hill is located to the west side of Pune Municipal Corporation. Vetal Tekdi is prominent and is visible from PashanPashan
Pashan is suburb of Pune, India. It is located off the Mumbai-Bangalore expressway by-passing Pune city. Pashan road serves as the main approach road for Mumbai-Pune expressway. Pashan is bordered by Baner in north, Sus village on west, Bavdhan in south and Pune University in east...
, Panchavati, Chaturshringi and other parts of the city. It is located near Chaturshringi, near Pune University. It has two spurs, Fergussen College Hill and Chaturshringi Hill
Chaturshringi Hill
Chaturshringi HillThere is a famous temple at the base of this hill.It is close to the intersection of University Road, Baner Road and Pashan Road and also Senapati Bapat Road.Attractions nearby besides the temple are University of Pune and E Square....
. The geographical area is 180 30’ to 180 32’ N and 730 49’ to 730 52’ E covering an area of 10.5 square kilometre.
Pune is surrounded by many hills including Katraj hill, Panchgao, Parvati, Ramtekdi, Gultekdi, Range Hills, Dive Ghat. Vetal hill is one of the important hill situated in city area. It runs North-South with some spurs running perpendicular to this hill. Vetal hill runs across areas like SNDT Women's University
SNDT Women's University
Shreemati Nathibai Damodar Thackersey Women's University is a women's university in the city of Mumbai, India. The university headquarters are situated at Churchgate in South Mumbai, while the main campus is in Santacruz–Juhu area of Mumbai. SNDT has three campuses: two in Mumbai and one in...
, ILS Law College
ILS Law College
Indian Law Society's Law College, more commonly known as ILS Law College is a Law schools based in Pune, India. It was established in 1924 and offers a wide range of courses, primarily 3-year and 5-year degrees. It is one of the oldest as well as most reputed legal institutions in India...
, Gokhale Nagar, Symbiosis Society and Chatushringi. Important spurs of Vetal hill are Fergusson College Hill and Chaturshringi Hill
Chaturshringi Hill
Chaturshringi HillThere is a famous temple at the base of this hill.It is close to the intersection of University Road, Baner Road and Pashan Road and also Senapati Bapat Road.Attractions nearby besides the temple are University of Pune and E Square....
.
Its location in google maps
Climate
Summers are hot and dry on the hill. The summit is difficult to climb in Monsoon time and is usually foggy at the same time. Winter days are also cool and foggy.The area shares almost same climatic conditions as that of Pune in the rest of the time.
Flora
The forest type in this area is dry-deciduousDeciduous
Deciduous means "falling off at maturity" or "tending to fall off", and is typically used in reference to trees or shrubs that lose their leaves seasonally, and to the shedding of other plant structures such as petals after flowering or fruit when ripe...
as that of hills around Pune. Medium sized trees along with shrubs constitute majority of the vegetation. Diversity of herbaceous species is at its peak in monsoon months. Some parasites like Dendropthoe, Striga are also reported in the area. One important characteristic of the area is total absent of epiphytic species. Detailed Floristic Study of Vetal Hill was carried out by V. N. Joshi and M. S. Kumbhojakar of Agharkar Research Institute, Pune in 1997. They enumerated occurrence of 416 species of angiosperms belonging to 101 families, 2 pteridophytes and one Bryophyte.
Much before Joshi and Kumbhojkar’s work, ecological survey of the hill was conducted by Ezekiel around 1917-1918. Joshi, Kumbhojkar and Kulkarni in their work on changing floristic pattern of Vetal hill (1992) reported absence of 30 species which were reported by Ezekiel.
The dominant plant community in the area is Boswellia serrata-Anogeissus latifolia. Other dominant members of this area are Dalbergia lanceolaria, Acacia chundra, Dolichandrone falcata, Albizzia procera, Capparis grandis. Some herbaceous and shrubby weeds which are now naturalized in the area include Tridax procumbens, Lagascea moollis, Cassia uniflora, Lantana camara
Lantana camara
Lantana camara, also known as Spanish Flag or West Indian Lantana, is a species of flowering plant in the verbena family, Verbenaceae, that is native to the American tropics. It has been introduced into other parts of the world as an ornamental plant and is considered an invasive species in many...
. Plantation of some exotic species like Gliricidia sepium, Leucaena leucocephala has been undertaken by forest department. Dalbergia melanoxylon is one interesting example for spread of exotic species. This species was planted by Britishers in Pune University area. This species was totally absent on other areas of Pune. Recently however, the species is observed to be spreading in and around the area of the Vetal Hill, and is on the verge of becoming dominant species there.
The area is important on account of the occurrence of some important endemic species. Some examples of the endemic species found here are Jatropha nana, Cissus woodrowii, Mussanda laxa, Indoneesiella echioides, etc.
Flora
The forest type in this area is dry-deciduousDeciduous
Deciduous means "falling off at maturity" or "tending to fall off", and is typically used in reference to trees or shrubs that lose their leaves seasonally, and to the shedding of other plant structures such as petals after flowering or fruit when ripe...
as that of hills around Pune. Medium sized trees along with shrubs constitute majority of the vegetation. Diversity of herbaceous species is at its peak in monsoon months. Some parasites like Dendropthoe, Striga are also reported in the area. One important characteristic of the area is total absent of epiphytic species. Detailed Floristic Study of Vetal Hill was carried out by V. N. Joshi and M. S. Kumbhojakar of Agharkar Research Institute, Pune in 1997. They enumerated occurrence of 416 species of angiosperms belonging to 101 families, 2 pteridophytes and one Bryophyte.
Much before Joshi and Kumbhojkar’s work, ecological survey of the hill was conducted by Ezekiel around 1917-1918. Joshi, Kumbhojkar and Kulkarni in their work on changing floristic pattern of Vetal hill (1992) reported absence of 30 species which were reported by Ezekiel.
The dominant plant community in the area is Boswellia serrata-Anogeissus latifolia. Other dominant members of this area are Dalbergia lanceolaria, Acacia chundra, Dolichandrone falcata, Albizzia procera, Capparis grandis. Some herbaceous and shrubby weeds which are now naturalized in the area include Tridax procumbens, Lagascea moollis, Cassia uniflora, Lantana camara
Lantana camara
Lantana camara, also known as Spanish Flag or West Indian Lantana, is a species of flowering plant in the verbena family, Verbenaceae, that is native to the American tropics. It has been introduced into other parts of the world as an ornamental plant and is considered an invasive species in many...
. Plantation of some exotic species like Gliricidia sepium, Leucaena leucocephala has been undertaken by forest department. Dalbergia melanoxylon is one interesting example for spread of exotic species. This species was planted by Britishers in Pune University area. This species was totally absent on other areas of Pune. Recently however, the species is observed to be spreading in and around the area of the Vetal Hill, and is on the verge of becoming dominant species there.
The area is important on account of the occurrence of some important endemic species. Some examples of the endemic species found here are Jatropha nana, Cissus woodrowii, Mussanda laxa, Indoneesiella echioides, etc.
The Hill Today
During the last few years the area has been subjected to various stresses of anthropogenic activities. Plantation of exotic species by forest department, urban development, tree cutting are few of them. Many aforestration programs have been undertaken either by Pune Municipal CorporationPune Municipal Corporation
The Pune Municipal Corporation was established on 15 February 1950. The PMC controls the whole administration of Pune. The executive power of the corporation is vested in the Municipal Commissioner, an Indian Administrative Service officer appointed by the Maharashtra state government...
or by state forest Department have resulted in growth of many ornamental and exotic species.The Forest Department has also build proper fences to safeguard animals and birds especially peacocks
Peacocks
Peacocks may refer to:*Peacock, one of two species also known as peafowl*Peacocks *Nickname for English football club, Leeds United*A song from Tallahassee by The Mountain Goats...
also providing them with appropriate water supply. This has affected in some or other way on the natural vegetation of the hill.
A new road connecting Balbharati and Paud Phata is proposed so as to decrease traffic pressure in Nal Stop
Nal Stop
Nal Stop is the name of the Pune, India metropolis intersection where Mhatre Bridge Road intersects with Karve Road and Law College Road. Probably the most congested traffic intersection in Pune. Conditions were slightly alleviated by making Law College Road intersection one way...
Chowk. The road will cut across a nearly two kilometre patch of forest on vetal hill, cutting close to ten thousand fully matured and grown trees. The proposed bypass will bring automobile pollution, noise and congestion into the heart of a green area at the foot and lower ridge of the Vetal hill. This is a catastrophic proposal and will destroy one of the last virgin green areas left in Pune.
Several citizen groups and activists have opposed the proposal. Twelve NGOs recently wrote a letter to the PMC opposing the road. A blog and an online petition was promoted to stop the construction of the road. Nagrik Chetana Manch has gone to the Mumbai high Court in a PIL and the HC has stayed the construction of the road.
Due to increased urbanization and increased population the biotic pressure in the form of cutting of trees has increased on forest of Vetal Hill.ARAI
Arai
-People:* Akino Arai* Alberto Arai* Arai Hakuseki* Masaru Arai* Sasagu Arai * Satomi Arai* Hirofumi Arai* Minami Takayama's real name is Izumi Arai* Shoichi Arai-Companies:...
is located in vetal hills.