Wild flower conservation centre at Kaas

Abstract

Biodiversity is essential for maintaining the ecologicalfunctions, including stabilizing of the water cycle, maintenance and replenishmentof soil fertility, pollination and cross-fertilization of crops and other vegetation,protection against soil erosion and stability of food producing and other ecosystems. Conservation of biological diversity leads to conservation of essentialecological diversity to preserve the continuity of food chains.Biodiversity provides the base for the livelihoods. Had William Wordsworth visited Kaas, the words would still be the same… I wandered lonely as a cloud That floats on high o'er vales and hills, When all at once I saw a crowd, A host, of golden daffodils; Beside the lake, beneath the trees, Fluttering and dancing in the breeze. There exists an extremely pristine ecosystem around 25 kms from Satara. Nestled in the Sahayadri Mountains, this place is known as the Kaas plateau. It is home to a few life forms– found no where else in the world- they are endemic to Kaas. Till very recently, they had all peacefully habited the surrounding hills and plateaus. But suddenly, the scientific community observed that every year during the Indian Monsoons, the land became covered with innumerable tiny flowering plants.Kaas plateau has its endemic value through years. Kaas is ground for more than 250 flowering species which has its botanical impotance. This flowers proves very new and essential for Botanical studies, therefore it is important to conserve and research on such species. About all the flowering plants on kaas 6% are added to red data book and the site is registered under UNESCO World heritage site. . It was only in June 2012 when the UNESCO declared Kaas as a world heritage site that it got recognition and tourists started pouring in. With tourism came problems of overcrowding which eventually led to destruction of its flora. Though the government of Maharashtra is taking preventive measures to preserve the endangered species, the lack of knowledge among the people creates problems.