Pune: With most of the tourist destinations opening up in the recent unlock phase, Punekars are planning for one day outing over coming weekends. One such destination is the Kaas Plateau (Kaas Pathar) situated about 125 kilometres from Pune city. But wait before you plan your trip as the forest department has decided to not allow tourists at this world heritage site throughout the October month.

The Forest Department has opened up tiger reserves for tourists from October 1, but has decided to not open Kaas Pathar considering the influx of tourists. This move comes despite the local administration in Satara district allowing opening up of hotels, resorts and agro-tourism centres from October. The local administration has issued fresh guidelines for the latest unlocking phase, but the forest department has taken a unilateral decision.

With no human interference this year since the onset of the season, the Kaas Pathar is in full bloom. It is one of the popular monsoon tourist spots. The Kaas Pathar is usually visited by tourists from mid-August till September-end. This year, due to the Covid-19 outbreak in the state, a lockdown was imposed and inter-district travel was banned. As a result no tourists would visit the Kaas plateau this year in July, August and September month.

Satara district is also one of the worst affected Covid-19 hotspots in the state with over 7000 cases. Hence sign boards have been installed all along the way to Kaas Plateau by the police and local administration appealing tourists to stay away from the region.

As a result, not only Kaas, but other locations like Bamnoli and Tapola are also suffering due to the tourist-ban imposed by the forest department. Every year, during the monsoon season, lakhs of tourists come to these places for one or two days' trip.