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Kaas Plateau Blooms: New Facilities Enhance Eco-Tourism
26 Aug
Summary
- Kaas Plateau opens September 1 with new viewpoints and pathways.
- Eco-friendly initiatives include serving tea in earthen cups.
- New facilities like Hirkani room prioritize women and families.
The Kaas Plateau, recognized as a UNESCO world heritage biodiversity hotspot, is set to reopen for tourists on September 1. This year, visitors will experience several new facilities designed to enhance convenience and bolster conservation efforts.
New additions include three scenic viewpoints, such as Mandapghal, offering better vistas and regulating visitor flow. Laterite stone-pathways have been laid to improve access to designated areas, crucially protecting the delicate seasonal flowers and vegetation unique to the plateau.
A sheltered waiting area is now available to provide respite from inclement weather and peak hour crowds. Addressing the needs of women and families, a dedicated Hirkani room and changing facilities have also been introduced. These upgrades aim to balance increased footfalls with the preservation of Kaas's sensitive ecosystem.
In a significant move towards sustainability, the Satara forest department will serve tea in traditional earthen cups, phasing out plastic. This initiative is part of a broader commitment to reducing plastic waste in this ecologically vital region. The forest department, in collaboration with the Kaas joint forest management committee, is focused on promoting responsible and eco-friendly tourism practices for the upcoming season.
