Kaas plateau

The Kaas Plateau is also known as the Kaas Pathar.  Kaas Plateau is a plateau situated 25 kilometres west from Satara city in maharashtra , India.
 PLACES TO VISIT IN KAAS PLATEAU
1. Kaas Lake

 

 2.Vajrai Waterfall
 3.Thoseghar Waterfall
 4.Bamnoli

OTHER ATRACTIONS NEAR KAAS PLATEAU

  Kaas lake is on the south of the Kaas Plateau and is surrounded by dense forest. It lies between Sajjangad fort and the Kanher Dam. Koyna project is around 30 km towards the south of Kaas Lake.Vajrai Waterfall is also near from Kaas which is one of India's highest waterfalls.
ABOUT KAAS PLATEAU

Kaas plateau is a plateau located near Satara. It is situated high hill plateaus and grasslands turns into a 'valley of flowers' during monsoon season, particularly from August to early October. Kaas Plateau has more than 150 or more types of flowers, shrubs and grasses. The orchids bloom here for a period of 3–4 weeks during this season. Kaas plateau is a World Natural Heritage site, part of the Sahyadri Sub-cluster.To control possible damage by tourists, the number of visitors to the plateau has been restricted to 3,000 per day. In September, some of the most common flowering plants are Eriocaulon spp., Utricularia spp., Pogostemon deccanensis, Senecio grahamii, Impatiens lawii and Dipcadi montanum.

The plateau experiences a natural cycle of extreme conditions, with wet water-logged cool monsoons, very dry hot summer (45 °C) and dry winter (5 °C). The soil is acidic only a thin layer on top of laterite rock underneath. Extreme seasonality influences the ecology of the site .

GEOGRAPHY

Kaas plateau is a plateau located around 25 km from Satara. There are two ways to reach Kaas  plateau. one the more direct way from Satara and another from Tapola via the link road connecting Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani to Kaas Pathar. Kaas plateau is 20 km away from Northern part of Koyana Sanctuary. The major portion of the plateau is reserve Forest. Kaas lake (built 100 years ago) is a perennial source of Water supply for western part of Satara city by gravity. The flora of Kaas are around the locality of that area. The plateau is largely formed of basalt which is directly exposed to atmosphere. The basalt rock is covered by a thin cover of soil formed due to erosion and has accumulated a layer of not more than an inch or so. This soil is neither black nor lateritic. At certain places water gets accumulated because of uneven surface. The plants growing on Kas plateau are typically of herbaceous nature of like grasses. The small shrubs and trees are located at the periphery of the plateau at Kaas plateau. The small shrubs and trees are located at the periphery of the plateau.

The various distances of Kas plateau are as follows:

• From Satara - 25 km
• From Pune - 125 km
• From Mumbai - 280 km
• From Kolhapur - 150 km
• From Sangli - 147 km

  BEST TIME TO VISIT 

Monsoon season is the perfect time to visit! August to October is the time, but it varies with the local monsoon conditions. Before heading here, do check the monsoon season of the western ghats.

•  WHY IS THE TIME BEST IN MONSOON TO VISI

1. Bliss in blooms: More than 850 species of flowering plants bloom during monsoon and post-monsoon at Kaas. This makes for some really colourful encounters and a paradise for nature lovers. Here is a look at the immense biodiversity of Kaas:

• ~1500 types of plants
• ~156 botanical families
• ~680 genera
• ~1452 species
• ~400 medicinal plants
• ~33 endangered plants

2. For those who love change: The Kaas plateau is known to change colour almost every week, owing to the changing life cycles of the wildflowers. If you want to click your selfie against the backdrop of romantic white and purple, go at the time of the Waytura blooms. For those who prefer the peace and serenity of white, look for the Toothbrush orchid, also called the White Habenaria. And there’s something for the kids too—those yellow flowers called the Hairy Smithia which appear to be shaped like a Mickey Mouse. So take your pick of timing and indulge in your favorite color!
3. Monsoon mania: Perfect place to enjoy the breezy refreshing monsoon, the Kaas Lake is shrouded in mists on a typical rainy day. It’s like a walk in the clouds, re-energising your very soul and body to the core. Engage in typical monsoon fun like enjoying roasted corn on the cob, or a piping hot mug of tea. Spend quality time with family, it’s a great short weekend break for much needed rejuvenation.
4. Learn about conservation, up close: The rich biodiversity of the Kaas plateau is due to the volcanic soil mix. It is primarily basalt that’s directly exposed to the atmosphere, with pockets of accumulated water forming typical marshy flora. But in recent times unmanaged tourist crowds and trampling has led to the uprooting of this delicate ecosystem, making conservation measures necessary to maintain this rich wealth. Today we see forest officials deployed on the plateau throughout, and tourist management measures implemented. A chat with such locals can give you very interesting insights on how conservation is done in such as sensitive eco-zone.
5. You will fall for the falls: The sturdy slopes of the Sahyadris are not just about flowers and flora, the gushing waters make way for some amazing waterfall fun. Of course, getting drenched in the roadside waterfalls makes for the perfect monsoon retreat. But more magnificent than that is the Thosegarh waterfalls a short distance from Kaas, 20 km from Satara city. Now get refreshed in the mist-spray as the water thrashes down into the valley from about a height of 200 m. This is nature at its full fury.