It was quite a pleasant
surprise to see Malabar Lark nibbling among the mist enveloped flower bed of
Kaas. He didn’t see me nor did I see him, it was while I was looking far ahead
into the hill that a slight movement few feet away alerted his presence. So
next, about half an hour or so, I had my eyes following this bird, though he
noticed me but by that time we were in tolerating-each-other’s-presence terms.
Malabar Crested Lark
(Galerida malabarica) is found along the plains through the Western Ghats. Must
add it is difficult to classify Larks, as also the Pipits. Close examination of
picture one has taken is needed in most cases.
Earth
full of flowers
Kaas plateau is an
incredible sight, spread across 1000 odd hectares of undulating plain that
burst into myriad colour as some 450 species of plants flower during 2-3 weeks
of August and September. It is a UNESCO Biodiversity World Heritage site. Many of the plants are endemic and critically
endangered. It is a unique place as the plateau is formed of basalt and is
covered in thin layer of soil, not more than an inch or so, thus the plants in
the region are typically ‘herbaceous’ that is like grasses. Small shrubs and
trees are located at the periphery of the plateau. Due to uneven surface at
some places puddles are created adding to the richness in biodiversity.
Kaas Plateau, or
locally referred to as Kaas pataar, is located about an hour's drive from Satara city. Kaas
is from Kaasa tree –the South Indian Marble tree, Elaeocarpus glandulosus. Uncontrolled
tourism has become a serious threat, during peak season it sees thousands of
people visiting.. The problem here is unlike the much famous ‘Valley of
flowers’ in Uttranchal –which needs arduous trekking, Kaas easy accessibility,
add to it major cities like Pune and Mumbai at few hours distance. Regulating visitors
is in the anvil. In the meanwhile I would suggest visitors to take a stroll on
the left part as you enter the plateau. The right side, along the Car parking,
is teeming with people, though many people do closely observe the flowers and
so on but some do create a racket, with children trampling across. The left
side of the plateau is a quiet groovy place, when I was here there wasn’t a
soul till the end of the sight. Not seeing too many Homo sapiens is such a
relief. Nothing can be more pleasant than earth full of flowers, and you in
midst of it. And yes while you enjoy the sight be careful the stones are
slippery and yes the isolated stretches end in steep and very scary drops.
Wild flowers have their
own charm and when you see millions of these spread across, in a multicoloured
carpet, covering the hill it is ecstatic. For those inclined to knowing wild
flowers intimately, Issac Kehimkar’s “Common
Indian Wild Flowers” (incidentally I bought it at Biodiversity meet in
Hyderabad last year) is a good book to start with. Jamaican Bluespike, a very
common wildflower that we tend to miss, tops my list of favorites.
From my scribble pad…
Something
Once,
while trying to negotiate a thorny bush
an
unfurling wildflower
in
its brief moment of gaiety
held
me.
A
hesitant instance.
Something
quite frank though uncertain.
Very
sublime in its demeanor.
Brightness.
A
blur.
