Environmentalists say irresponsible tourists are harming UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, call for stricter penalties against rule breakers
A plastic bottle discarded at the site despite there being a ban on plastic items. Pics Courtesy/Sagar Mahajan
Though the Kaas Plateau in Satara district of Maharashtra is recognised as an UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site for its biodiversity, irresponsible tourist behaviour is threatening its delicate ecosystem, with visitors trampling rare flowers to take photographs. The plateau is home to more than 850 species of flowering plants, including several endemic and threatened varieties such as the Smithia, Topli Karvi, and Dipcadi.
Naturalists and wildlife lovers who visited the plateau last week told mid-day that the heritage site is under severe stress due to irresponsible tourist behaviour. During the monsoon season, the area comes alive with a carpet of wildflowers attracting thousands of visitors every year. However, the increasing footfall has allegedly brought with it a disturbing trend of disregard for the fragile ecosystem.
The number of people visiting the area has increased considerably
Naturalist and wildlife lover Sagar Mahajan, who visited the Kaas Plateau last week, said, “Despite repeated awareness drives and strict entry regulations, many visitors continue to pluck flowers, trample over delicate plant mats, and even sit in the middle of blooming patches for photographs. Social media-fueled tourism has worsened the problem, with people prioritising picture-perfect moments over the preservation of the site. Each flower here plays a role in maintaining the ecological balance. When people step on them for selfies, they aren’t just damaging plants, but entire life-cycles of pollinators and insects.”
Mahajan also highlighted that adding to the ecological stress is the issue of littering. “Plastic bottles, food wrappers, and disposable cutlery are increasingly found strewn across the plateau. Although waste bins are provided at entry and exit points, many tourists choose convenience over responsibility, leaving behind a trail of garbage in what should remain a pristine natural habitat,” Mahajan added.
Visitors take photographs while standing amid flower patches
Wildlife lovers and researchers fear that unchecked human interference could irreversibly damage this delicate biodiversity. “It has taken centuries for this ecosystem to evolve. A few seasons of reckless tourism could undo it,” said naturalist and wildlife photographer Mahesh Yadav.
Authorities have put up signs in place clearly mentioning that visitors are required to stay within designated pathways. Entry is ticketed and time-bound, and there is a ban on carrying plastic. However, enforcement remains weak. Guards deployed on-site often find themselves unable to take any strict action as the number of visitors is very high.
Environmentalists and nature lovers feel there is an urgent need to have stricter penalties, limit visitor numbers during peak season, and increase patrolling.
“Park visitors should be educated and made to understand why Kaas is not just a tourist spot, but a living, breathing natural heritage,” added Yadav.
The plateau was given World Heritage status in 2012 for its unique ecological significance. If the current situation and pressure from tourism continue, Kaas might not just lose its biodiversity, but also the global recognition that was meant to protect it.
850+
No. of flowering plant species in Kaas Plateau
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