Northern western Ghats in Maharashtra is gifted wit h plateaus , grasslands and characteristics herbaceous vegetations. Kaas plateau , which is also known as a “ Kaas Pathar ” is also part of this region. It is situated in sa hyadri, 25 KM away from Satara District. Kaas is also known as a Maharashtra`s valley of flowers.
There are few stories behind why the plateau is named as “Kaas”? Like, as the Kaasa tree ( Elaeocarpus glandulosus ) is found in thick forests around the Kaas, the plateau is known as Kaas. In the local community, K aasa means a lake, there is a lake here, & this could be the one reason for the place being named “Kaas”. Kaas lake (built 100 years ago) is a perennial source of Water supply for western part of Satara city & is origin of the river Urmodi.
Plateau of Kaas is classified under VOLCANIC PLATEAUS which are produced by volcanic activities. These plateaus are m ainly formed of two rocks namely basalt rock which is predominant rock & porous lateritic rock ( Jambha ) which is red colored stone rich in iron and alumin um allowing most of the water to seep through or drain off. There is only a thin laye r of soil which supports no vegetation except for the rainy season which makes Kaas a unique ecosystem. Kaas is one of the hotspots of biodiversity
