Viral Monsoon Reels Threaten Rare Flora Across Lonavala and Maval Plateaus
The rush to capture viral monsoon reels and photographs is placing rare flowering plants at risk of local extinction across the rocky lateritic plateaus of Lonavala and the Maval region in the Western Ghats.
Botanists and wildlife experts have issued warnings regarding the impact of irresponsible tourism on these fragile hill-crest and plateau habitats. During the monsoon, visitors are increasingly entering the delicate rocky terrain to record videos and take photos for social media platforms.
The influx of tourists has led to severe physical damage across these sensitive Northern Western Ghats environments. Visitors are trampling delicate plants underfoot, plucking flowers, and in several instances, driving off-road vehicles directly across the plateau habitats.
These rocky lateritic plateaus serve as tiny, specialized habitats for numerous native and rare species that bloom during the monsoon period. The growing foot and vehicular traffic threatens to wipe out populations from their localized environments.
Among the key species bearing the brunt of the disturbance is the Sahyadri lantern flower, scientifically known as Ceropegia sahyadrica. The habitat disruption also threatens Pinda concanensis and multiple species of ground orchids, including Habenaria foliosa, Habenaria grandifloriformis, and Habenaria rariflora.
In addition, populations of black musli (Curculigo orchioides) and the iconic Karvi (Strobilanthes callosa) are facing significant pressure from the ongoing trampling and off-road driving across the Lonavala and Maval plateaus.
Experts emphasize that without an end to irresponsible tourism practices, these unique flowering plants face the immediate danger of localized extinction across their natural Western Ghats habitats.
