BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION GROUP

Greetings from North Western Ghats India and the Valley of Flowers of Maharashtra!

Hello Folks,

We are a bunch of Nature Activists who always want to bring some dynamic changes in society for Nature and its conservation. Kaas Conservation Project is one the conservation project which we are doing in North Western Ghats of India. By the grace of God and your wishes, last Saturday was an amazing day for us as we could do something worthwhile which can help in protecting Kaas. We had organised couple of events “SAVE KAAS CAMPAIGN”. They were held on 1st Oct. & 9th Oct. 2011 on Kaas Plateau- Lake area. There were around 200 school children, faculties and organisers participated in Save Kaas Walk and Kaas Cleanliness Campaign. This event included activities like cleanliness on Kaas Plateau and Lake, educating students about endemic and endangered species, visitors and tourists and bringing Awareness about Kaas conservation. We had organised this event keeping its objective in mind to Save Kaas plateau from the present Environmental and Ecological threats to its sensitive habitat. The pictures can be viewed on :

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.257822067595806.67868.255361041175242&type=3

Due to which Kaas is losing its charm and rich biodiversity on a very high pace. Due to unorganized tourism, human interferences, increase in traffic movement, increase in number of vehicles, air, sound and soil pollution on Kaas Plateau are posing threat to its very survival.

Anyways, our special thanks to Forest Department Satara and volunteers for their extended co-operation and support. This is the beginning and we have to go a long way. We need support and help from likminded people who care for Mother Nature. Lets come together to SAVE KAAS!

Globally, Kaas has been recognised as one of the hot spots of biodiversity due to its unique ecosystem and high degree of endemism. Kaas plateau is an outstanding example representing significant ongoing ecological and biological processes in the evolution and development of terrestrial and fresh water ecosystem and communities of plants and animals. The plateau contains most important and significant natural habitats for conservation and biological diversity including those endemic and threaten species of outstanding universal value from the point of science and conservation. Hence this area is nominated for world’s natural heritage site by UNESCO. There are more than 300 species of wild flowers in an area of around 17.92 sq. kms. Many species of wild flowers are endemic to Western Ghats and several species are endangered too. However, till date no serious steps have been taken for protecting the rich biodiversity of this place.

According to my observation and analysis of experts, tourism is one of the biggest threats to the biodiversity of Kaas. Tourism brings lakhs of tourists and thousands of vehicles every year which includes buses, cars, vans, trucks, autos, bikes, rickshaws and scooters etc. Due to the increase in numbers of such vehicles; the tranquility and peace of Kaas is highly disturbed resulting in breakdown of flora & fauna’s food-life ecosystem.

Vehicles like cars, buses, two-wheelers etc. and tourists coming from distant places to Kaas are bringing seeds dispersal of invasive and alien species through tyres, shoes and cloths etc. There is a risk of increase in genetic pollution driving the native species to extinction. Traffic has increases the air pollution which is spoiling the chastity of Kaas. Because of the emission Air Pollutants like Carbon-monoxide, Sulpher dioxides, Carbon dioxides, Volatile organic compounds and Methane etc. in the atmosphere of Kaas, these harmful gases are making this place contaminated and constantly increasing Green house gases in return leading to the increase in temperature which will eventually be proved very harmful for the vulnerable ecosystem of Kaas. Sound pollution produced by noisy and cranky engines of vehicles and honking has disturbed the bird’s and animal’s movement on Kaas. Garbage, plastic bottles, cold drink bottles, food left overs etc. have reduced the soil quality of its rich laterite soil which initially was too rich in minerals & ores. Kaas gives shelter not only to many flowering plants but also to several endemic species of freshwater fishes, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals too. There are around 694 species of flowering plants found on this plateau, many of them have medicinal properties which help in treating diseases like Cancer, Anemia, Kidneys stone, Arthritis, Respiratory and ENT etc. It is also believed that a species of plant is found on Kaas which can be helped in curing HIV infection too. As a matter of fact, there are more than 33-38 endangered species which should be given immediate protection. We have witnessed table-land of Panchagani which has lost all its charm and rich flora-fauna because of unplanned & heavy tourism and irresponsible tourists activities because of which it has become ecologically depleted piece of land where no more those endangered and endemic flowering plants are found in the abundance where earlier they used to be. Kaas plateau is a Gene-Bank for Scientists and Researchers. If these vulnerable and ecologically significant species are not conserved, they will be extinct in next 3-5 years from this plateau and will be gone for forever. Its not only the flowering season but Kaas needs protection throughout the year.

It’s our responsibility to protect Nature and we must do something purposeful which can collectively make a difference. I need your help and support to make it a success. If you think you care for it and you should contribute for the conservation of Kaas then you can help us in any of the following way:-

Helping by participating in campaigns.
Being a part of our group and supporting in volunteer activities which are convenient to you.
Helping in circulating the message of conservation in Media i.e. News papers, Television and Magazines etc.
Propagating this message in corporate and making them aware about Nature conservation.
Helping in raising the funds needed for the survival and expansion of this conservation project.
Helping me tying up with people and groups who are in the favour of wildlife conservation.
By posting this link on your networking groups like Facebook or Twitter wall and helping us spreading this message.

Cheers

Vishal & Abhay

Email: vishal.savewildlife@yahoo.com

Message from Author:

We are a group of like-minded individuals and not an NGO or registered organisation. All work we do for nature conservation is on our own. We shall be thankful to you for your help and support. Please extend your help by donating for a charitable cause on the account details given below. All the money via donation will be used for the noble cause and for conservation purpose.

Name: Vishal Prasad

HDFC BANK

A/C: 08821140016503

IFSC: HDFC0000882

Thanks a million for your support. Mother nature will always bless you !!

Friday, October 14, 2011