Its high time that Kas pathar flora is protected. Thanks for the information and agreeing with the concern for the endangered flora. Are u aware of any collective efforts in this direction?
On Wed, Sep 22, 2010 at 8:42 AM, Aparna Watve <[email protected]>wrote: > Even this year there are many Aponogeton satarensis but flowering cannot be > seen- hence it is difficult to locate. > According to some the flowering occurred early this time and it is over > now. > I have been observing the Kas population since 2001- the flowering is > normally at peak in heavy monsoon- July-August. But some persists in > September and we should also see fruiting at this time. I did not see > fruiting specimens- but I am going to Kas again to check it. > > However, I have strong doubts that increased movement, is causing > disturbance to this species and other species as well. > > I have just completed IUCN threat assessment of this species and it is > Critically Endangered- it is seen at very few locations only on lateritic > rocky plateaus at high altitudes of Satara, Sangli, Kolhapur dt of > Maharashtra. IT IS RARER THAN THE TIGER and has no special protection even > now. I request all nature lovers and photographers (especially) to > understand the importance of leaving it alone and undisturbed. This is the > short growing period of the plant and it has to sustain throughout the year > on the food it stores and the seeds it produced assure future generations. > Disturbing it (or any other plants on the rocky plateaus- like Ceropegia > jainii) is like disturbing tiger during mating- it affects present and > future generations. Our movement near it, will destroy the soil seed bank, > affect the pollinators of this species and will affect the micro-world of > plateau plants in many unimaginable ways. > > Hence, I request all to understand and sensitize others to leave the plants > and animals on rocky plateaus alone during the growing season. Unfortunately > there is no serious formal protection like a "national park" at this time, > but I am hoping there will be soonest. > > For all those who would like to have a photograph of the plant (or any > other on the rocky plateaus)- I will personally send my own pictures of the > area- taken between 2003-2006 during my study on plant communities on rocky > areas (provided you give me some time as all of them are slides and not > digital). It was a time when pressure from tourists and especially > photographers was minimal and flora as well as associated fauna were in > natural state. > > With regards > Aparna > > > > > > > On Wed, Sep 22, 2010 at 8:17 AM, ushaprabha page <[email protected] > > wrote: > >> I could locate only one speciman of Aponogeton satarensis at Kas Pathar >> on last Sat, -18th sept. >> Last year they were many. >> >> >> > > > > -- > Dr. Aparna Watve > Dr. Aparna Watve > Asha Appt, Shanti Nagar, Ekata Colony > Nr. BSNL tower, Akbar Ward, > Seoni.480661 > tel: 07692-228115 > mobile: (0)9755667710 and 9822597288 still works >
