Kaas — Maharashtra’s miniature answer to the Himalayan Valley of Flowers. A bombardment of beauty. A kaleidoscope of colours. An embodiment of Nature’s wonder. Tucked away in the enchanting greens of the Sahyadri ranges lies this refuge that comes alive once every year for barely a few months. And how it does! The plateau made up of laterite rocks takes on a resplendent yet changing face every few days, as one coloured flowerbed makes way graciously for the next budding beauty. It is as if there is an ingrained understanding of the ‘right of way’. And yet when each species is in its prime they are literally in the pink (or blue or yellow or white) of health and happiness.
Fields of gold Scenes from Kaas
A UNESCO World Heritage site, Kaas Pathar or Kaas plateau located in the Koyana Wildlife Sanctuary, is an ideal weekend getaway from Mumbai and Pune. It brims with beauty from August till October, rains permitting. The basalt plateau sees a plethora of wild flowering species take birth, live a brief life and then perish. More than 850 species of flowering plants call this sanctuary home during these months. Many of these are priceless, thanks to their medicinal and healing properties and the shelter they offer to the micro-fauna, insects, amphibians and reptiles. Monsoon mania seems to engulf even the plants and animals in its refreshing throes, and they burst into activity every step of the way.
Fields of gold Scenes from Kaas
A waterfall hurriedly gushing down the slopes here, an impatient frog waiting for its next meal there — Kaas is sacred sanctum for the Nature-lover. Walk the vast expanses of the highlands and look for endemic and rare flora like the Topli karvi, dipkadi, Jaini, Abhali, Gavati davbindu, Jartari etc. Or pick up your lens and click close photographs of weird-looking creatures. Sweeping views of the mono-coloured flowerbeds delight the soul of the urban dweller. The thrashing Thosegarh falls and the mist-clad Chalkewadi windmill farms are an ideal half-day detour for some great monsoon fun. Or you can get refreshed and rejuvenated by soaking in the silence at Kaas Lake, away from all the chaos. Alternatively a trip to the nearby fort and samadhi of Saint Ramdas at Sajjangarh makes for an interesting trekking adventure and offers some spiritual solace.
Fields of gold Scenes from Kaas
Undue pressure of human development and encroachment is slowly eroding the fragile ecosystem that Kaas is, and the forest authorities are doing their bit in conserving the delicate balance of elements. In the past, trampling of flowers by visitors and littering of plastic-ware had upset the unique flora and fauna. Many of the flowering and non-flowering plants, and wildlife are endemic to the region ie found only there because of the marshy ground conditions. Any deviation from the normal puts many a species of the plateau at high risk of perishing. Conservation is the key to prevent such a catastrophe and Kaas authorities have been at the forefront of conservation initiatives through a well-researched Conservation Action Plan. Restricting visitor access through fencing, managing traffic, directing discipline through penalties and effective land-use management (95% land is under conservation and only 5% to be used as a public zone) are some of the steps taken. There is also involvement from the local community to make these conservation efforts sustainable.
How to get there: Kaas is best approached by road, about 27 kilometres from Satara city. It makes for a great weekend road trip from Mumbai (approximately 280 kilometres) and Pune (around 130 kilometres). Alternatively you can take a train to Satara and board a local bus plying to Bamnoli (check whether it stops at Kaas plateau, some buses do).
Where to stay: A number of local hotels in and around Satara make for a comfortable but basic overnight stay before you head to the valley. Radhika Palace, Kaas Holiday Resort, Kaas Village Resort and Nivaant are options to choose from.
How to plan: Pre-book your tickets for a specific date and time slot online at https://kas.ind.in/ . Each ticket is valid for three-hour slots. On any day not more than 3,000 visitors are allowed on the flowering site. Weekdays are a good time owing to lesser crowds.
