Though the Kaas Plateau in Satara district is recognized as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site for its remarkable biodiversity, irresponsible tourist behavior is threatening its delicate ecosystem. Visitors trampling rare flowers to take photographs have become a growing concern.
The plateau is home to more than 850 species of flowering plants, including several endemic and threatened varieties such as Smithia, Topli Karvi, and Dipcadi. During the monsoon season, the area transforms into a vibrant carpet of wildflowers, attracting thousands of visitors each year.
However, both visitors and environmentalists have raised alarms about damaging practices like plucking flowers, trampling delicate plant mats, and even sitting amidst blooming patches. While it might seem harmless to pick a flower or two, experts caution that each bloom plays a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance. When people step on these plants for selfies, they are not only harming the flowers but disrupting entire life cycles of pollinators and insects.
With at least 850 flowering plant species, the Kaas Plateau is a genuine treasure trove of biodiversity. Increasing the number of awareness signages about the damage caused by plucking and squashing plants can help curb some of the harmful behaviors.
Although there is a ban on plastic disposal, littering remains a persistent problem. Strengthening patrolling efforts and imposing fines on violators could significantly improve the situation.
The issues faced by Kaas Plateau reflect a larger challenge affecting tourism in general. Defacement, littering, harmful selfie-seeking, and social media-driven chaos, where natural structures and wildlife become targets, must come to an end.
To protect sites like Kaas and ensure sustainable tourism, multi-pronged initiatives need to be launched. These should focus on education, stricter enforcement, and community involvement to preserve our natural heritage for future generations.
https://www.mid-day.com/news/opinion/article/make-tourists-aware-of-impact-of-their-behaviour-23596613