CHAPTER 4: PEOPLE AND PROTECTED AREA

Most of the habitations in the Koyna sanctuary area have been re-located during construction of . Remants of a few submerged villages as Shirshingi, Jungati an abandoned villages as Dicholi, Ambeghar have been observed during the field work. (Plate 4-1). A few of these villages have been shifted from valley to uphills in the same area instead of complete relocation. After designating the area as Tiger Reserve in 2010, rehabilitation of all these villages have been undertaken by the Forest Department. About 30 villages including all those were situated in the core zone of Koyna (STR) have been relocated to Sangali, and districts. Re-location procedures for about 11 villages are still ongoing. At present, there are a few villages in Bamnoli range including Pimpri, Valvan, Shindi, Waghavale, Akape, Arav, Uchat, Shindi, Tambi and Kudavade are distributed across the northern parts of the protected area and Helvak, Humbarali, Navja, Manai-nagar, Kamargaon, Gokul are situated inn southern areas in Koyna range.

During earlier times, people residing the surrounding areas of the sanctaury are dependent on the forests for their day to day needs of Non Timer Forest Produces (NTFP), food in form of fishes and cultural services being provided by the area. Prior to the inclusion of the sanctuary as a part of STR, limited collection of NTFP was allowed in certain parts of the sanctuary. However, after designation of the Tiger project, collection of any of NTFP occurring either in core or buffer zone of the protected area is not allowed. Fishing in Shivajisagar reservoir is completely banned so as to provide complete protection to the aquatic fauna.

Two places of cultural importance to the local people are situated in the sanctuary namely Ramban and Nageshwar. Annual traditional fair is conducted at Ramban on Ramnavami and at Nageshwar on Mahashivratri. A large number of local population from surrounding areas visits Ramban and Nageshwar for these fair. The cultural bonding of people with places inside the forests have been maintained by the Forest Department and the places are kept open for all visitors on these two days.

People’s dependence on forests for fuel wood is continuously kept monitored and controlled by the Forest Department. The department is also putting special

1 efforts for reducing the anthropogenic pressures on the sanctuary and rehabilitation of remaining villages.

Koyna WLS has always been an area of interest for trekkers and tourists and nature lovers mainly due to its wilderness and historical importance. Large number of trekker and tourists visit the area around the year and influx of tourists is muh higher during monsoon season.

4.1 Places of interest in Koyna WLS

Koynanagar: A small town developed primarily for maintenance of Koyna dam site and the hydroelectric project. The town is well connected to , Satara and Ratnagiri by road. Government offices of Irrigation Department, Public Works Department, Engineering Department of Koyna Project and Forest Department are located here. Major population in the town comprises government servants and a few local resident families. The place is entry point of the from southern side. is always been a place of attraction for tourists because of famous Koyna Dam and huge reservoir created by it.

Koyna Dam and Shivajisagar Reservoir: Visit to Koyna Dam site and hydroelectric project is very restricted for laymen and tourists. Special permissions are needed to visit dam site and hydroelectric project. (Plate 4-2, c)

Jawaharlal Nehru Garden: A well-designed garden is located near Koynanagar and managed by the Irrigation Department. A special light and sound show giving information about Koyna hydroelectric project is the main attraction at garden.

Ozarde Waterfall: Ozarde is very popular tourist place in Koyna WLS and is well- known for the serene beauty of waterfall and forests in its surrounding. It is easily accessible by road and located about 8 km from Koynanagar. (Plate 4-2, a & b).

At foothills of Ozarde a Medicinal Plant Conservation Area (MPCA) have been established for in-situ conservation and sustainable utilization of medicinal plants. MPCA spreads over an area of 250 acres and about 152 medicinal plant species are conserved in-situ. A local NGO named ‘Shri Manaidevi Aushadhi Vanaspati Savardhan Sahkari Sanstha, Navja’ is involved in management of the

2

MPCA. The place is visited by more than fifty thousand people during monsoons and it is maintained by the Forest Department.

Jangali-Jaigad: A hill fort about 9.6 km north-west of Helvak, situated on the spur projecting from the main ridgeline of Sahyadris into the . The fort has historical importance, as it was held under possession by Tai Telin, a mistress of Pant Pratinidhi, main servant of Empire. The fort was then surrendered to British force under Col. Hewett in the month of May 1818 ( Gazeeteer).

An easiest ascent to the fort is from village Navja by a trail route. The first half way towards the fort crosses through a dense patch of semi-evergreen forest and top of the fort would be reached after crossing slippery and steep slopes. The fort is oblong in shape, about 160 m long and 130 m wide. Remains of fort and some tanks on fort indicated that it was garrisoned at historical times. The fort is tourist’s attraction mainly for magnificent view of Sahyadri ranges and experiencing natural wilderness while travelling through thick perennial forests. During monsoon approach is very difficult (Satara district Gazetteer).

Tourists and trekker needs to get permission and entry passes from Range Forest Office, Koyna WLS for visiting the fort. Permission granted for tourists only to visit, no halting is allowed either on fort or base. Forest Department also provides trained guides for visitors.

Mahimangad: A fort situated at Shindi, about 17.5 km West of Bamnoli. The fort area is not more than ten acres in extent but was little used as it is commanded on sides by other hills. The fort top consists of a triangular table land with apex to east.

Mahimangad is especially mentioned as one of the chain forts built by Chatrapati Maharaj to protect eastern frontier of the then empire.

Bamnoli: A small town situated at the northern entry point of the sanctuary. The town is well connected to Satara city by road and to Tapola by water. It was small administrative centre under the Maratha Empire. At present, it is the only market place for getting day to day groceries and health facilities for people inhabiting tiny hamlets in the interior parts of Koyna valley. Boating facility is available here for tourists. A Range Forest Office of Koyna WLS is situated at Bamnoli. Tourists need to get permission and pay entry fees this Forest office.

3

Vasota: Very famous historically significant hill fort also known as ‘Vyaghragad’ is situated in village Metindavali. The only approach to the fort is from Bamnoli by boat till foothills and then on feet. The fort has always been place of attraction for trekkers and nature lovers. The trail route of about two and half km that passes through thick woods of semi-evergreen forests. The distance from base to top is approximately 4 km. Near the Maruti Mandir path bifurcates, one towards Nageshwar and other to Vasota fort. Two major streams named Ketakicha odha and Nageshwar odha meets at this point and flows downstream into the Shivajisagar reservoir. During the times of Shivaji Maharaj and later the hill on the west of Vasota fort called Juna Vasota was used to imprison the criminals as the approach to fort was very inaccessible and surrounded by thick forests.

Being a part of legally protected area the forests are untouched and in its pristine state. Wild animals like , , Sambar, Wild dog, Wild-boar, Leopard are major inhabitants of this area. Activities of many birds and great variety of plant species could be observed on both sides on trekking route to fort. Informative signages are displayed along the trekking route by the Forest Department. Nature Interpretation Centre at Metindavali, foothills of Vasota fort is developed and maintained by the Forest Department. The easiest way to reach Vasota is via Bamnoli by boat. Another approach is from Tapola to Bamnoli by boat. Local guides are provided either by boat club at Bamnoli or by Forest Department. Entry for tourists is restricted only from sunrise to sunset. No camping is allowed on fort or any other areas inside the sanctuary. (Plate 4-2, d-g).

4.2 Threats to the Sanctuary

Major parts of the sanctuary area are pristine and naturally protected by an extent of Shivajisagar reservoir. However, natural habitats are fragile and bound to the changes in biotic and abiotic factors that sometime results in inducing threats to the biodiveristy. A few natural and anthropogenic threats to the sanctuary were identified through direct observations, literature review and informal consultations with local people and forest officials.

4

4.2.1 Natural threats

Seasonal fluctuations in availability of water resources, landslides, inaccessible terrain and inadequate prey base are some of the natural threats to the of the sanctuary. a. Fluctuations in the surface water-levels: depending on the rate of average annual rainfall and precipitation, water levels of the Shivsagar reservoir and other surface water resources in the area fluctuates. A significantly high rates of evaporation and temperature could cause scarcity of water resources in uphills and wild animals in the area may get affected as they have to travel long distances to reach water. b. Landslides: frequent landslides in the sanctuary and surrounding areas during monsoon season is an another significant natural threat to the flora and fauna. Landlsides causes complete loss or degradation of plant species that are typical of exposed rock surfaces, hill slopes and rigdelines and associated fauna. (Plate 4-3, f). c. Earthquakes: Koyna dam and surrounding area being an active epicenter, earthquakes are frequent in the area. High magnitudes of earthquakes could directly cause loss or injury to the wildlife in the area. d. Inaccessible terrain: terrain in the sanctuary area is mountaineous all over and not easily accessible. These situations limits the effective management and are unreachrable in emergencies. e. Inadequate prey-base: although herbaceous food resources and other conditions are suitable for wildlife, density of herbivores is not sufficient for large carnivores. Inadequate prey-base could be attributed to the low availability of contiguous grasslands.

4.2.2 Anthropogenic threats

An accelerated rate of developmental and routine human activities in the buffer zone of protected area is increasing the pressures and threats to the wild regimes. Some reserve forest areas in buffer zone and adjoining the sanctuary are owned by local people. Many activities in this private lands such as tree loping, induced fires for cultivated, grazing of cattle are directly resulting in habitat loss and

5 disturbance of ecological sensitive zone along periphery of the sanctuary. (Plate 4-3; 4-4). a. Illicit tree-cutting: tree-cutting and harvesting any plant parts is not allowed in the entire area, however at some places such as Kusapur, Kamargaon and Navja illgal tree cutting was observed. b. Grazing: cattle grazing is commonly observed in the buffer zones. During the resettlement of villages in the core area, large number of livestock especially cattle were abandoned therein mainly because of lack of transport system. The abandoned cattle are increasing pressures on food sources of wild animals. c. Winfarms: Chalkewadi and Kusavde windfarms comprises major modified habitats in the buffer zone of the protected area. Loss, degradation or fragmentation of contiguous natural habitats is one of the major impacts caused by construction of windfarms. d. Tourism: inaccurate methods of tourism and negligent activities by tourists such as playing music on the forests trails, throwing garbage and plastic in forests is one of the important anthropogenic threats that could directly pose impact the wildlife. Special training sessions on sensitization of forest staff and tourists could reduce these threats.

6