This monsoon, the Panvel Forest Office had promised to appoint security guards at the Pandavkada Falls in Kharghar — which is infamous for tourist deaths — but has failed to live up to its word. Tourists, on the other hand, have already begun thronging the waterfall. Over the past seven years, mudslides have claimed more than 11 tourist lives.

Around 20 days ago, the Panvel Forest Office said it will hire locals from a nearby village, Owe as security guards under the Joint Forest Management (JFM) scheme.