CHAPTER 4 SOCIO-ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF DISTRICT 4.1. Research area 'Location' Analysis 4.2. 'Language' of research area 4.3. 'History' of Research areas 4.4. - On a 'research view' 4.5. 'Geography' of Pune 4.6. MIDC 4.7. The 'forests' of research area 4.8. The 'T.C.M.S.' at 4.9. Other 'Crops' in research areas 4.10. 'Population' of research area 4.11. Connectivity of'Commutations' 4.12. 'Power supply' in research area 4.13. 'Irrigation' and research area 4.14. The 'alternative incomes' to population 4.15. 'Festivals' and research areas 4.16. 'NGOs' and World Vision 4.17 Social structure of research area 4.17: 1 The caste classification 4.17: 2 The Clothing 4.18 Village culture in research area 4.19 Life style of research area 4.19:1 The Women 4.19:2 The Youth 4.20 The Underlaying Culture 4.21 Media Consumption and research area 4.21:1 Newspaper 4.21: 2 Radio 4.21: 3 Televisions 4.21: 4 Mobile 4.22 Purchasing Method and research area

140 4.22: 1 Brand Consumption 4.22: 2 Agro - inputs Consumption 4.22: 3 Clothes Consumption 4.23 The Houses of research area 4.24 Pune census 2011 4.25 Bhimashankar one of the best reserve forest in research area 4.25: 1 Wildlife Sanctuary 4.25: 2 Natural Vegetation 4.25: 3 Fauna Species 4.26 Basic on 'Hirda' 4.27 Bhimashankar-The Sacred Forest(12 th to 14 thDec '08) 4.28 Shekru 4.29 Flora 4.30 'Hirda' Flora 4.31 Fauna

141 4.1 Research Area Location Analysis - The geographical analysis of the research area selected is , Junnar, Khed and Maval tehsils of the Pune district in the state of in . The state of Maharashtra is located on the west coast of India, Maharashtra is the third largest state by area and the second largest state by population. With a population of 96,752,247 inhabitants, Maharashtra is the second most populous state in India. Maharashtra covers an area of 307,731 square kilometers which is about 9.84% of the total geographical area of India. The capital of the state, Mumbai is the financial capital of the country and the largest city in the nation. With the highest per capita income, the state contributes to about 15% of the country's industrial output and 13.2% of the GDP (2005-06).

4.2 Language of research areas - Marathi is the official language, also the most widely spoken language. Marathi is spoken by 90% of the population in the research area. The other languages spoken are , and some other Non- Scheduled Languages.

4.3 History of Research areas - The Marathas rose to power under the leadership of Shivaji in the 17th century. They fought against the Mughals, who were ruling a large part of India. The Maratha Empire expanded to cover most parts of northern India and sxirvived for almost a century. The empire ended after the third Anglo-Maratha war and most of Maharashtra was made a part of the Bombay state. After independence, the state of Maharashtra was formed on May 1, 1960. The great king Shivaji Maharaj was bom in Juimar tehsil at Shivaneri.The Lord God Bhimashankar one of the 12 is sitated at a boundary of Ambegaon and Khed talukas.

142 4.4 Pune District - On a research view - The city of Pune is known as the 'Queen of Deccan' due to its scenic beauty and rich natural resources. Pune is known across the world due to its educational institutions. The district is an important military base. It is the most industrialized district in western Maharashtra and is an important IT hub in India. Pune exemplifies an indigenous Marathi culture and ethos, in which education, arts and crafts, and theatres are given due prominence. Pune is the cultural capital of Maharashtra.

4.5 Geography of Pune - The district of Pune is located between 17 degrees 54' and 10degrees24' north latitude and 73 degrees! 9' and 75 degrees 10' east longitude. It has an area of 15.642 square kilometers. The Pune district is bound by Ahmadnagar district on north-east, Solapur district on the south-east, Satara district on south, Raigad district on the west and Thane district on the north-west. Pune is the second largest district in the state and covers 5.10 % of the total geographical area of the state. Pune district forms a part of the tropical monsoon land and therefore shows a significant seasonal variation in temperature as well as rainfall conditions. The district is geographically divided into Ghat, Sub Moimtain, and Plain and scarcity zone. Ambegaon, Jutmar, Khed and Maval are a tehsil in the subdivision of Pune. It has a part of its land in the plain zone and the other in the scarcity zone. Ambegaon, Jurmar, Khed and Maval technically the tehsil headquarters, most of the main administrative offices are shifted to Ghodegaon, Jurmar, Rajagurunagar, and Maval. Currently all important government offices are based on these locations. Ghodegaon is located in the Ambegoan tehsil.Junnar is located in the Jurmar tehsil.Rajagurunagar is located in Khed tehsil. Maval is located in Maval tehsil.These are the largest villages in the respectivetehsil.The T.C.M.S. is located at Jurmar and which includesAmbegaon, Khed and, Maved.

143 It is surrounded by many important landmarks, one of the being the lUCAA telescope at at Ambegaon. This is a two meter long telescope that was installed in Girawali at an altitude of 1000 meters above the sea level. There is an observatory and a guest house for the scientiststo work. The others are the Dhimba dam, which is built on the Ghod River. It is called "HUTATMA BABU GENU JALASHAY," the Chaskaman dam at Rajagurunagar on Bhima River, and the Yedagaon dam at Jurmar on Mirma River.

4.6 MIDC - There are 'MIDC complexes on this stretch, with companies like Bajaj, BMW, Mercedes and L'Oreal having their manufacturing units on this road. From , a small state highway in the direction of Bhimashankar, a popular tourist spot leads us to Ghodegaon.The new "Khed sity" MIDC is established in Khed tehsil.

4.7 The forests of research area - District forests are protected by the government and one can see the panthers walking freely in and around the forests .The evergreen forests are seen in the research area of the four tehsils.

4.8 The T.C.M.S. at Ghodegaon - Ghodegaon in Ambegaon tehsil of Pune district is siteated villeage fourteen kilometers, west of Manchar on the Nashik-Pune highway. Ghodegaon is on the road to the of Bhimashankar and Shivneri, the birthplace of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The route passes over hills and dales lined with fields and more fields, the shetkari homelands of Maharashtra, growing cereal crops; as this is not the sugar belt. Manchar, the spot to get down for Ghodegaon from Pune, presents itself as yet an Indian small town, made prosperous by the busy Nashik-Pune highway, with its dhabas and medical shops.

144 A natural roller-coaster ride is offered to the rider, though the state PWD has tried to mitigate by providing a decently able motor road, and even the infamous S.T. buses co-operate. Ghodegaon is the real headquarters of the tehsil,, though it is named after the smaller Ambegaon.Here is located the T.C.M.S. (Tribal Co­ operative Marketing Society), working imder the 'Hirda' Cultivation.This society purchases Hirda Fruit of the Goverrmiental prices.The society provides a very large income to persons who collect the 'Hirda'.This society include the working areas of Ambegaon, Khed and also Junnar tehsils and production areas of'Hirda' Fruit. Ghodegaon comprises two parts, the old village bazaarpeth and a newer part on the Bhimashankar road. The two are connected by The Bridge, a major landmark of the town sparming a nondescript nullah overgrown with weeds. The newer part contains the A.P.M.C. market yard, so it is called the duyyam bazaarpeth the second market district.The T.C.M.S. is located in this area. Bhimashankar also dominates the economy, as a nimiber of rest-houses and eateries of several classes dot the place and the marigolds are always there.

4.9 Other Crops in the research area - Farmers sometimes grow vegetables like tomatoes near their houses whereas the farms growing staple crops being large are located away from houses. Sometimes the farmers manage a third crop if the water supply sufFices.The lower lands grow sugarcane, groimdnuts, potato and tomato on a rotational basis. The higher altitude farms in the hilly areas grow rice, wheat (gahu), jowar and bajra.

4.10 Population of the research area - The research area has a mixed population which is distributed across different age brackets. The teenagers mostly go to Mumbai and Pune to pursue higher education after schooling in their villages. The average income of a villager is around Rs 1000 - 1500 per month. The majority of the villagers are

145 Marathas. However, there are other castes like Mali, Matanga, Bondh and Adivasi (Schedule tribes and Schedule cast) At the obvious level, people do not lay too much importance on the castes, but the caste does play a significant role at the subconscious level. The villages in research has a Hindu majority, including Adivasis with a small population of Muslims living in a separate area as the Muslims claim to be happy 'living as one' with the other villagers. The literacy rates are high and the panchayat claims it to be 90%. Although schooling is done in research areas, the villagers prefer sending their children to either Pune or Mumbai for higher education in colleges. Although the majority population is involved in farming, the other noteworthy occupation is the collection of Hirda Fruit and its trading. The trading primarily deals with selling agro-products to the dealers in cities like Mumbai and Pune, and selling Hirda to T.C.M.S. Many villagers work as laborers in the nearby SEZs of Chakan, Manchar and Khed. The major companies employing these villagers are Bajaj (Chakan) and Amul and Morade food processing plants. (Manchar), besides 8 to 9 other factories. There are also some who act as local laborers in the farms of research areas and they are paid Rs. 50-60-70-80-90 per head. A good number of villagers participate in politics and consider it as an occupation.

4.11 Connectivity of Commutations - There are in the research area various PCOs especially in grocery shops or in shops which sells mobile connection. Idea cellular has a very good network in the villages besides Airtel and BSNL. There is now Vodafone network too in the village.

4.12 Power supply in the research area - Power supply is the biggest problem in the research area with load shedding of more than 8 hours an everyday. The load shedding is especially severe during the siunmers with power cuts lasting for more than 12 hours

146 4.13 Irrigation and the research area - Dimba Dam on Ghod river, Chas Kaman Dam on Bhima river and Yedagaon Dam on Meena river are the main sources of water for irrigation. The water reaches the fields through canals from the river or though pipelines with motor pumps from the Dam. The ground water level being good, many households employ tube wells for their domestic needs.

4.14 The alternative incomes to the population - The people here have poultry farms. It provides an alternate means of income from the same land. The excreta of the chickens are also used as manure to make the soil more fertile. There are organization like Amro and Seguna, which provide everything to the farmers, from the construction of the shed to providing them with the bird food and taking the birds back in 45 days. They pay around Rs. 2.50/ kg of bird they get back after 45 days. This is a security net for the farmers if the rains do not come timely or if there are some problems with the crop that year. Almost every house has cows. Each cow gives around 14-15 liters of milk which they sell at co- operative societies which collect milk from the families in various socities and sell it in the Amul factory nearby.

4.15 Festivals and the research areas - The research areas see a lot of festivals being celebrated over the year. Ganesh Chaturthi and Navratri are the main festivals here along with the bull race. There are many temples in and around the research area and the is a famous one.

4.16 NGOs and World Vision - NGO has worked on this village and villages in the nearby areas. It is a Chaitannya organisation working to create lasting change in the lives of children, families and communities living in poverty and injustice. With more than 50 years of experience in India, World Vision works in 24 states across

147 the country through and is working in the research area for the following aspects. a)Development that is community based, sustainable and transformational. b) Advocacy initiatives that are helping to population. c) Emergency response and disaster mitigation, grassroots based. World Vision India is a national NGO in partnership with a network of over 100 other entities within World Vision International. World Vision India is registered as a society under the Tamil Nadu Societies Act with its National Office based in Chennai. In research area it has led the "Swachhata Abhiyan" amongst other such health related programs. It works with children and schools to teach them about basic hygiene and healthy living.

4.17 Social Structure of the research area - The dominant caste by the strength of their population as well as in rank is the Maratha. Hilly population includes SC and ST rank. Politics is dominated by Marathas. However, as per the civic compulsions, other castes are represented.

4.17:1 The caste classification - In the Panchayat although women have a fair representation with the Sarpanch (leader of villages) being a woman, men still call the shots. The caste classification is polymorphic. The younger generation freely mingles across all caste barriers in the schools and colleges as well as in the locality. The older generations avoid crossing the barrier and interact across castes only during need-based situations. Although the higher castes do not belittle the lower castes, they do expect them to respect the superior status of the higher castes. The lower classes are conscious of their stature and avoid 'crossing the border'. Professionally, fishermen are the most economically backward and they invariably belong to lower castes. They live by the river banks or across the various Dam in shanties. Many of them were displaced from the village's

148 mainland during the construction of the various Dam and they have not been compensated adequately.

4.17:2 The clothing - The clothing is mostly similar for most of the villagers wdth the signature white Gandhi cap, along with a white shirt and a loose pant or a dhoti forming their attire. Clothing does not give away the caste of a person. Women mostly use bindi and cover their head with the pallu of the Sari. Muslim women however refrain from using the bind, but they do put on lot of kaajal in their eyes. The older generation of Muslim men has beards. The younger generations of both the communities wear similar clothing and cannot be distinguished in any way. The people are mostly vegetarian. There is low availability of meat. So, the non-vegetarian people are people who eat fish. Their breakfast includes poha and tea. The farmers have bajra, jowar or wheat roti and onions. They make simple food but usually have a lot of spicy chili in their vegetables. Milk is readily available as they have cows in their own house. There is no one important family in the village but all are equal. People gain respect if their family heritage and lineage is great. People are respect people if their son has gone to the city and has carved a name. Money matters but lineage has far more importance.

4.18 Village Culturein the research area - The research area, one Deputy Sarpanch in his interview mentioned that the villagers are very spiritual.The entire village during the Navratri festival alongwith every temple is beautifully decorated. In the evening women with their daughters went to the temple. There were less men at the temple during the evening Arati. Men and women both went for satsangs in the late evening in every villag. The population does not give too much importance to education, but considers it important to have a good job. They do not mind sending their children to Pune and sometimes Mumbai for higher studies if that would

149 ensure a high paying job. Many of the Maratha caste boys stopped studying before completing graduation and started their own business. The girl child's education is more as a modem day requirement in the marriage market than an option of their employment. They send their girls to English medium schools. But education is not a high priority for them. Girls were going in school and once back home they did not come out of their house. There were a few who studied outside the village in Pune, but one can only draw conclusions on what their aspirations could be.

4.19 Life Style of the research area - The life of the research areas population in the very restricted and was inside the house. Women of the village worked in the field with men. Old women had their own fields and employed labourers to work on their fields. The main objective of parents was to get their daughter married in a good family. The uneducated women too want their children to study. They do not believe that once the children leave their village they would ever return. The older generation likes to continue with the hierarchies and rituals followed by their previous generations. They look forward to their children's return to the village. They like the simple life of waking up, reading the newspaper, discussing with fiiends over a cup of tea, moving around the village and meeting people, having a nice lunch back home, have a nap, go out again in the evening, sometimes to the temple and then time with the family. Marriages seldom occurred vdthin the community.

4.19:1 The Women - Women got married by the time they were 22 years old and men by 25 years. Inter-caste marriages were not welcome and neither were love marriages. Women in general were home makers and sometimes worked in the fields if the family did not have enough income to get labourers to work.

150 4.19:2 The Youth - The youth of the village aspired to gamer respect from its society on the basis of a respectable profession which provided good monthly income. They were not too keen in pursuing farming. That was something which was their parents' occupation.

4.20 The Underlying Culture - A research area is very patriarchal, conservative and orthodox in nature with some modem attributes added externally. The youth might not be wearing the Gandhi cap and dhoti but they connect the innate value of a Maratha with these symbols. They might be going to the same college as other castes and religion and eat with them, but they will not marry someone from another caste. The value of money has increased and they want to earn early and grow fast.

4.21 Media Consumption and research area - 4.21:1 Newspaper- In respect of the media diffusion in the research area Newspaper has the maximum reach amongst men of the rural area and village. In various comers of the street or in a restaurant there would be a man reading the newspaper in Marathi. English newspapers were nowhere to be fovmd. The newspapers like Saamna, Lokmat and Sakal are available at the newspaper stand. There is no delivery system at home. This makes it an almost exclusive property of the men. Women are told about important news by their husbands in various hilly areas. Now the delivery system at home has spread with the coming of the villege. The newspaper is a shared possession. Usually the elder most people in the gully or the retired teacher buys the newspaper and then it is taken by the younger people or people who are working. The non working people come and discuss the news with the shopkeepers and their neighbors as well as in group chaths in the evening under a tree.

151 4.21:2 Radio - Radio has its presence but it is not one of the preferred medium of either entertainment or news.

4.21:3 Television - Television penetration is surprisingly high in the research area. People and restaurants have small color TVs. In hotels it is put on throughout the day for customers to watch and enjoy. If there is cricket then it is the sports channel or invariably it would be on the Marathi channel either ETV Marathi or Zee Marathi. Women get to watch television in their houses. One of the villagers as well as a retailer mentioned that women look at an advertisement on TV for a particular soap and then they come and buy that soap. Men mostly watched news on the TV while women watched soaps and movies. Women saw TV during the afternoons and in the evenings. Although the men said that they watched the news in the evening they usually missed the news due to power cuts. Satellite chaimels are available in hilly area by Dish TV and Tata Sky. The cable network is also available.

4.21:4 Mobile- The mobile network is good in the research area, especially for BSNl. But the network is very weak as one move up the hills and crosses the forest sector. A younger population has deep knowledge of the latest technologies on the phone. The users knew how to create videos and transfer them via Bluetooth to using their cell phones, while they were the same people who caught snakes for fim. In media consumption is (reading/listening/viewing), men are more prone to reading while women are more affected by viewing and listening.

4.22 Purchasing Methods and the research area - 4.22:1 Brand Consumption - Brand Consumption Durable brands are decided by consulting other people on the village who have that product and what kind of experience they

152 have had. They also consuh their friends and family in the city as they believe they would know better. Philips has its presence in a number of households in the form of 12-14" colour TVs.

4.22:2 Agro-inputs consumption - Agro-inputs are bought from the Krushi Utpadan Kendra and "the brands are decided either by previous experience or by asking the seller at the counter. The village has a few such shops with an array of seeds and fertilizer brands."FMCG products are decided either by watching the advertising on television and the decision maker is usually the woman in the family."The decision changes if there are some special offers running." The retail stores have a number of small SKUs available for most of its products.

4.22:3 Clothes Consumption - In clothes, the educated people know about brands, especially if their children are in the city. They would buy an unbranded trouser at Rs.500 rather than pay Rs. 1500 for a branded one.

4.23 The Houses of the research area - Farmers generally stay in their pucca 2 room house in the research area. The house is spacious with very few pieces of furniture. There is usually one diwan in the drawing room, and the TV in an almirah which has a mirror and few items on display. The door has the back entry and guests come to the house from there. Adjacent to it is the kitchen with a gas stove and utensils of various kinds and sizes. In the photograph you will notice a paint box which has been re-used as a bucket for storing water.This is the general enviroimient of the household establishments all over the research area of the four tehsils of Ambegaon, Jvmnar, Rajgunmagar and Maval. A small corridor opens up to the bathroom and toilet on the left and the main bedroom on the right. The toilet and bathroom are separate, but there is only one mug for use. The bathroom has a rope tied for hanging clothes. There

153 is a tiny little place on the window sill for keeping soap in the bathroom. For our bath by get hot water which is heated in an iron stove over coal fire. The wash basin has a small tube of Colgate. The bedroom is a private area. They have a few rose plants outside the house and numerous Tulsi plants. The people wake up early in the morning around 6:00 am .The bath water is made ready on the stove. The ladies of the house are usually in their own world.Their socialization is limited and it is mostly with other women of the family. The day ends with some time spent in front of the TV. The family talks during meal times and in the early evenings. They stocked a number of blankets which come in very handy. The furnitures and doors all have the name of the ovmer and date of purchase written on it. The electric meter looks like one from long past area. There are liquidators and Mosquito coils to ward off the huge number of mosquitoes. Boys leave school to start work, either in the family business or on the farm or go to the industrial areas and work as unskilled labourers. Very few pursue higher education seriously, even though there are a number of colleges. Why is the problem? Education is not considered to be of primary importance by the villagers. If we look at the hierarchy of values, education lies towards the bottom of their choices. The people who have large enough farms believe that their sons should take care of it. People who have some business would want their son taking it up after them. The poorer population would rather have an extra earner in the family and send the boy to work in factories in nearby industrial areas as unskilled wage laborers. All the children, who never complete their studies and continue doing family business or get married after completing matriculation or at the most after graduation, This would be about 800 - 1000 people and the fiiture generations to come.They feel it is not important for the boys to complete the studies, as long as they have some basic education, they can take over family businesses instead of wasting time in graduating. If the student is really interested in studies, he c£in continue. Higher education provides a job in the

154 city which takes the child away from the village, and there is a sense of regret in letting the child go away and not have him by their side when they are in their old age. There are a few people who are working like the advocates and the doctors and a few retailers who want their children to have good education and keep opportunities open for them. Some farmers also considered it important to have their children educated in some professional courslike.Engineeringand.Medical.

4.24 Pune: Census 2011- An official Census 2011 detail of Pune, a district of Maharashtra has been released by Directorate of Census Derations in Maharashtra. Enumeration of key persons was also done by Census officials in pune Disitrict of Maharashtra. In 2011, Pune Had Population of 9,426,959 of which male and female ware 4,936,362 and 4,490,597 respectively. There was change of 30.34 percent in the population compared to population as per 2001. In the previous census of India 2001, Pune District recorded increase of 30.73 percent. The initial provisional data suggest a density of 603 in 2011 compared to 462 of 2001. Total area under Pune district is of about 15,643 sq.km. Average literacy rate of Pune in 2011 is 87.19 compared to 80.45 of 2001. If things are looked out at gender wise, male and female literacy were 92.72 and 81.13 respctively. For 2001 census, same figures stood at 88.34 and 71.89 in Pime Distirct. Total literate in Pune District were 7,288,517 of which male and female were 4,048,650 and 3,239,867 respectively. In 2001, Pune District had 5,039,290. With regards to sex ratio in Pune, it stood at 910 per 1000 male compared to 2001 census figureo f 919. The average national sex ratio in India is 904 as per latest reports of cunsus 2011 Directorate.

155 Table 4.1 Descripton of Population Descripton 2001 2011 Actual Population 7,232,555 9,426,959 Male 3,769,128 4,936,362 Female 3,463,427 4,490,597 Population Growth 30.73% 30.34% Area Sq.Km. 15,643 15,643 Density/Kni.2 462 603 Proportion to Maharashtra Population 7.47% 8.39% Sex Ratio (Per 1000) 919 910 Child Sex Ratio (0-6 Age) 902 873 Average Literacy 80.45 % 87.19% Male Literacy 88.34% 92.72% Female Literacy 71.89% 81.13% Total Child Population (0-6 Age) 968,851 1,067,261 Male Population (0-6 Age) 509,367 569,916 Female Population (0-6 Age) 459,484 497,345 Literates 5,039,290 7,288,517 Male Literates 2,879,761 4,048,650 Female Literates 2,159,529 3,239,867 Child Proportion (0- 6 Age) 13.40% 11.32% Boy's Proportion (0- 6 Age) 13.51% 11.55% Girl's Proportion (0- 6 Age) 13.27% 11.08%

(Source - Pune: Census 2011)

pftQefie^,

156 Table 4.2 Descripton of Population of 'Rural' and 'Urban'

Descripton 'Rural' 'Urban'

Population (%) 39.11% 60.89% Total Population 3,687,243 5,739,716 Male Population 1,913,777 3,022,585 Female Population 1,773,466 2,717,131 Sex Ratio 927 899 Child Sex Ratio (0- 6) 861 880 Child Population (0- 6) 423,969 643,292 Male Child (0- 6) 227,794 342,122 Female Child (0- 6) 196,175 301,170 Child Percentage (0- 6) 11.50% 11.21% Male Child Percentage (0- 6) 11.90% 11.32% Female Child Percentage (0- 6) 11.06% 11.08% Literates 2,640,849 4,647,668 Male Literates 1,505,089 2,543,561 Female Literates 1,135,760 2,104,107 Average Literacy 80.93% 91.19% Male Literacy 89.27% 94.89% Female Literacy 72.01% 87.09%

(Source - Pune: Census 2011)

In census enumeration, data regarding child under 0- 6 age were also collected for all districts including Pune. There were total 1,067,261 children under age of 0- 6 against 968,851 of 2001 census. Of total 1,067,261 male and female were 569,916 and 497,345 respectively. Child Sex Ratio as per census 2011 was 873 compared to 902 of census 2001. In 2011, Children under 0- 6

157 formed 11.32 percent of Pune District compared to 13.40 percent of 2001. There was net change of-2.08 percent in this compared to previous census of India. Pune District population constituted 8.39 percent of total Maharashtra population. In 2001 census, this figure for Pune District was at 8.39 percent of Maharashtra population.

4.25 Bhimashankar one of the best reserve Forests in the research area - 4.25:1 'Wildlife Sanctuary' -

The 'Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary' is one of the most popular wildlife sanctuaries in the state of Maharashtra and also including the research areas. The sanctuary is located in the northern part of the or the Sahyadri Ranges and is spread across '3' districts of the north-western part of Maharashtra. The districts are Pvme, Thane and Raigad. The sanctuary covers an extensive area of over '120' square kilometers and is positioned at an altitude of'2100 feet to 3800' feet. Two major branches of the Krishna River have originated in this area. These two branches are Bhima and Ghodand they are providing the necessary watering to the sanctuary. The sanctuary is home to the Great Indian Squirrel.lt is also quite famous for its magnificent combination of flora and fauna species.

The 'Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary' has a proper environment for wildlife that remains the same for most of the time in a year. The sanctuary receives heavy rainfall during the monsoons and as a result, the area remains wet, almost throughout the year. It sees monsoon during the months of mid- June to September. The period between the months of October and May is considered the best time to visit the sanctuary, as the weather remains predictable and comfortable, during this period.

4.25: 2 Natural vegetation -

Natural vegetation in the Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary is a combination of shrubs, magical herbs and plant life. The sanctuary's natural 158 vegetation consists of dense forests and numerous important plant species. The main forest type in this sanctuary is the southern tropical semi evergreen forest. The plant species found in the sanctuary have both medicinal and commercial values and some of them are considered as endangered or threatened. The predominant plant species in the sanctuary include Mango, Jamun Hirda, Behda, Bamboo, Palas, Babul, Bija, Salaia, Tendu, Dhawda, Zizphus Helicteres, Khair, Sal, Terminenalia species, Casia Auriculata, Bel, Hiwar, Teak, and others. The Climbers, Grass, and Ferns, are also found in the sanctuary, along with the shrub varieties like Isora, Vitex Nigundo, Solanium Giganteum, Lantaa, etc.

4.25:3 Fauna Species -

The 'faunal' composition in the 'Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary' is quite rich with many varieties of fauna species like mammals, reptiles or birds. The most notable mammal fauna species in the sanctuary is definitely the Tiger, which is considered as threatened species. Another very important mammal species of the sanctuary is the Great Indian Squirrel, which is also considered as threatened species. Apart from Tiger and Great Indian Squirrel, the other most commonly found mammal fauna species in the sanctuary include Leopard, Panther, Sambar, Sloth Bear, Four-Homed Antelope, Barking Deer, Wild Dog, Wild Boar, Chinkara, Blue Bull, Hyena, Bear, Langur, Jungle Fowl, Crocodile, and other. The avifauna in the 'Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary' consists of innimierous species, including the endangered and threatened species. Some of the bird species need urgent conservation so that they can be saved from extinction. The most important and notable bird species found in the 'Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary' include the Malabar Grey Hombill, Quaker Babbler, Malabar Whistling Thrush, Green Pigeon, Black Eagle, Grey Jungle Fowl, and other. The sanctuary also provides natural habitat to a variety of butterflies, insects and other smallanimals.

159 4.26 Basic on 'Hirda' -

The Bhimashankar "Wildlife Sanctuary" is considered as one of the best wildlife sanctuaries in India. The sanctuary is one of the finest places, where the flora and fauna reach their best of form. Its abundant collection of vegetation and wildlife is a real asset for any wildlife sanctuary, and hence, it attracts numerous tourists from around the world, on a regular basis. The tourists like to visit the place to enjoy its extraordinary scenic beauty and great variety of wildlife. There are several other tourist attractions located adjacent to the Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary. There is a shrine in the forest with the Jyotirlinga, temple of Lord Shiva. The other famous tourist attractions around the sanctuary include the Bombay point, Nagphani point, Hanuman tank, Vanaspati point, Gupt Bhimashankar, and other.

4.27 Bhimashankar - The Sacred Forest (12 th to 14 th Dec.2008) -

The "beauty of the Western Ghats," the majesty of Sahayadri Moimtains, and the blessings of lord "Shiva" make this place a real treat for the nature lovers. The Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the most beautiful wildlife sanctuaries in India rich in birds and insects, butterflies and wildflowers, reptiles and medicinal plants.Bhimashankar Sanctuary has always been the favorite forest visited on more than '30' occasions by the researcher, Such is the magic of 'Bhimashankar - the Sacred Forest'.

This forest was declared by the govt, of Maharashtra on 10th Oct 1985 as a reserve forest for the "Malabar Giant Squirrel" also called as "Shekru" in Marathi, the state animal of Maharashtra and a huge number of other animals and birds. It covers a forest area of '130.78' sq.km.The Sanctuary is positioned at an altitude of '2,100 feet to 3,800' feet. It is located in the of Pime district

160 4.28 Shekru -

'Shekru' is one of the famous animals in Bhimashankar forest. This is one of the best habitats in the "Western Ghats for the Malabar" giant squirrel and there are confirmed sightings of tigers too. However, tourism projects which seek to build in the heart of the forest threaten the arboreal ecology of these creatures. Proposed roads also threaten the forest, as do development projects designed to cater to the needs of pilgrims who visit the nearby temple complex.

4.29 Flora -

It contains relic forest with a high diversity of endangered evergreen tree species many of which are endemic to the Western Ghats. The main forest type of this sanctuary is the southern tropical semi evergreen forest. A wide range of plant life, medicinal herbs, and shrubs can be found here. The major flora found in Bhimashankar wildlife sanctuary includes Bamboo, Palash, Babul, Bija, Salaia, Tendu, Dhawda, Zizyphus Helicteris, Khair, Sal, Terminenalia sps, Casia auriculata, Bel, Hiwar, Teak, 'Hirda', 'Behada', Jamun, Fig, Anjan etc. The commonly found shrubs include varieties of Ixora,

161 Vitex Nigundo, Lantana etc. and many species of herbs, climbers, grass and ferns.

4.30 'Hirda' and Flora -

In the monsoon season, one can spot bioluminous fungi growing on some trees. The fungus gives out a faint glow that makes the tree trunks shimmer gently in the darkness of the night.

4.31 Fauna -

The area is rich in fauna since there is various forest tj^es found in the sanctuary. The wild life found here includes Malabar Giant Squirrel (of the ssp. Ratufa indica elphinstonii), Leopards, Barking Deer, Sambar, Wild Boar, Langur, Hares, Pangolin, Civet cats, and occasionally Hyena. More than 150 speciesof birds are found in Bhimashankar WLS and the surrounding areas. Among the birds that one encounters here include White-Bellied Blue

162 flycatcher, Puff-throated babbler, Malabar Grey Hombill, Brown cheeked Fulvetta, Malabar Whistling Thrush, Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, Black Bulbul, Indian Black Bird, Black Eagle, Bonelli's eagle, Yellow-browed Bulbul, Emerald Doves, Oriental turtle dove. Grey Jungle Fowl and many, many more. One might get to see the great butterfly and moth brigade including several species. The Insect life is tremendous here and the reptiles are in plenty.

There are several well defined trails in the sanctuary to experience the amazing birdlife of these fores. Some of them include the Gupt-Bhimashankar trail, Machan trail, Nagphani point; Forest quarters trail, Koli village, Ahupe forest trail and other.

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