Kolhapur: The much-awaited flower festival at Kas Plateau, a Unesco world natural heritage site and biodiversity hotspot, commenced from Monday, Sept 1, inaugurated by MP Udayan Raje Bhosale.
Therefore, maintaining environmental balance while increasing tourism is a big challenge before the forest department.
Deputy conservator of forests, Satara, Amol Satpute, said, “The Kas Plateau is a very important area in terms of biodiversity. In this context, while providing facilities to tourists, emphasis is being placed on reducing the use of plastic, increasing the use of eco-friendly products, and creating awareness among tourists about nature conservation. This move will further strengthen the forest department’s efforts regarding the conservation of the Kas Plateau, tourist management, and sustainable tourism”.
There are more than 450 varieties of flowering plants over the plateau, out of which 39 species are endemic, and found only over the plateau. Every 15 to 20 days, the colour of the plateau changes according to the flower bloom. The orchids here have started blooming, and will remain for three to four weeks. This development promises to give a new direction to tourism at the plateau, by striking a balance between conservation and sustainable tourism”.