GENERAL

WILD ANIMALS

The wild life of Satara district although found in small number, is scattered all over the district. However, the big and the interesting animals are mainly confined to the hilly regions of the Sahyadris and its foot-hills. This district is not known for its game. Only the western part of the district comprising parts of Mahabaleshwar, Satara, Patan and Dhebewadi forest ranges which have good forests, has a large number of animals. With the increase in population, peoples demand on forests increased, and so the animal population decreased. The then Government of Bombay fully appreciated this problem and enforced strict control over indiscriminate hunting of wild animals by enacting the Bombay Wild Animals and Wild Birds Protection Act of 1951. Due to celebration of the Wild Life Weeks and propaganda carried out during the last few years, the people have, to some extent, realised the importance of preservation of wild life.

Game of all kinds is now restricted to certain areas where protection either natural or artificial is afforded to various animals. In the Koyna Valley natural protection was afforded so far because of its natural inaccessibility and scanty population. However, due to the construction of Koyna Dam, this protection will no more be available to these denizens of the forests. This valley is likely to be closed entirely for shooting. However, artificial protection can never be as effective as natural protection.

Mahabaleshwar plateau is also closed for shooting. Due to this, it is found that the animal population except that of the tiger has increased to a large extent and the animals down the valley' frequent the hill top.

Beasts of Prey.

Prominent among the wild animals are the Tiger (Panthera tigris Linn M. Patait Vagh), and panther (Panthera pardus Linn M. Biblya Vagh). At one time, the tiger was a common visitor to Mahabaleshwar, particularly near Arthur Seat and the Koyna Valley. Now they seem to have almost vanished from the area. A tiger is a rare find in the forest near Mala-Kolana towards the south of Helvak and some portions of Dhebewadi range.

Panthers are, however, to be found in numbers all over the district including the scrub forests. They are more particularly seen in Mahabaleshwar, Panchgani, the Koyna Valley and the Kas area. During the monsoon they visit the Dare forests, two to three miles from Satara. They are also seen at Deur (near Wathar station) and in the hills near Satara Road station. Human beings are as a rule not molested and no man-eaters (either tiger or panther) have been recorded in the recent past. Besides sambars, cheetals, etc, which form their natural food, panthers also attack cattle, particularly calves. Due to complete protection afforded to the animals on the Mahabaleshwar plateau, the depredations of panthers have increased considerably. Many such complaints have been received of late and free permits had to be issued to kill the panthers which had proved destructive. All these complaints were confined to Mahabaleshwar and Satara ranges.

Wild Cats.

The wild cat (Felis Chaus M. Ran Manjar) is found in large numbers. It lives in open forests and scrub jungles and is a serious menace to poultry. The other two varieties of cats live in thick jungles but are comparatively rare viz. Paradoxcerus musanga M. Ud Manjar and Viverricula intlica M. Javadi Manjar.

Bears.

The Sloth Bear Ursus (Melursus) Labiatus, M. Asval is restricted to the well-wooded hilly portions of the Ghat area. It is particularly found in Bamnoli and Kas areas of Satara range. During the day, it lives in hollows in rocks or in ravines and at night time, comes down to the plains in search of honey combs. It also lives on roots and fruits of forest trees and feeds on ants and insects. It seldom attacks a human being unprovoked and does little injury to cattle.

Of the dog tribe the principal representatives are (1) The stripped Hyaena (Hyaena striata M. Taras). It is found in Mahabaleshwar, Panchgani, some portion of the eastern part of the district and particularly Satara Road and Koregaon area. It generally seeks shelter in the natural holes or caves during day time and moves about during nights in search of carcasses. It is a useful scavenger. (2) The wolf (Canis pallipes M. Landga) is generally found in the plains of the eastern side of the district. It usually lifts sheep and goats at night. (3) The jackal (Canis aureus M. Kolha) is found in abundance in the plains. It is a useful scavenger but at the same time it is harmful to poultry, sugarcane and ground-nut. (4) The Indian fox (Vulpes bengalensis M. Kolha) is common in the open country in the eastern portion of the district. It is a useful animal to the agriculturists as it lives chiefly on the field rats, mice, reptiles and insects.

Of the smaller animals allied to both cat and dog, the common mungoose (Herpestes edwardsii) deserves mention. It destroys snakes, both poisonous and non-poisonous, but sometimes becomes a serious threat to poultry because of it's mass slaughtering habits.

Bats

Among the bats the flying fox (Pteropus gigantus M. Waghul) is quite common. It causes great damage to orchards, especially as they raid, usually alter sunset in larger numbers.

Rodents.

Among the rodents, the Indian Porcupine (Hystrix leucura, Gray and Hardwicke M. Salendra or Sayal) is very common. It lives in burrows dug in the ground or rocky hilly sides and is very harmful to agriculture as well as to forest plantation. It eats up all the seeds sown and gnaws and uproots the seedlings to cat the fleshy cotyledons.

The Indian Giant Squirrel (Ratufa indica M. Shekra), is very attractive due to its reddish brown colour. It is found in the evergreen forests and particularly in the Mala-Kolana area, south of Helvak and in parts of Dhebewadi range. The five stripped squirrel (Funanbulus pennanti M. Khar) is usually found in the neighbourhood of habitations. Tt damages forest seeds, both in the nurseries and in plantations.

Hare.

The hare (Lepus nigricollis M. Sasa) is found in the scrub jungles. Due to unregulated hunting and snaring by local tribes, their number has depleted considerably.

Deer.

The deer family is perhaps the worst affected due to wanton shooting and poaching. It has been given complete protection from shooting but unless there is effective check on its illegal destruction, it is impossible to avoid complete annihilation of this family. At present they are found only in the interior forests of the Sahyadris.

The Sambar (Rusa anicolor Kerr.) is restricted to the hilly regions. It is found at the following places: —

Satara Range: Pimpri, Vasota, Indoli, Uchat.

Patan Range: Koyna Valley and at Mala.

Mahabaleshwar Range: Forests adjoining the Koyna Valley.

Dhebewadi Range: Paneri, Zolambi, Jaoli and Amboli.

The spotted deer (Axis axis M. Chital): It is found at Mala.

Barking Deer (Cerrulus auraeus M. bhenkar). It is found in small numbers in the Mala-Kolana area of Patau Range and Paneri Zolambi. Jaoli and Amboli areas of Dhebewadi Range. The mouse deer (Mosehiola memina M. Pisora) is occasionally found in the evergreen forests of Mala-Kolana.

Among the antelopes, mention must be made of the Black-buck (Antilope cervicarra Linn M. Kulvit). This is an inhabitant of the open scrub and grassy plain areas in the neighbourhood of cultivation. They were found in large numbers in the eastern part of the district and especially so in the region lying between Pusesavli in Khatav and Kadegaon in Khanapur (Sangli). However, they have been largely hunted out. Only recently (1959), a couple of black-bucks were seen near Pusesavli.

The Chinkara or Indian Gazelle which used to be found in small numbers near Man has become extinct due to indiscriminate killing.

Bison.

The Guar or the Indian Bison (Bibos gauras M. Gava) is the largest of all the bovines. ft is found in the south of the Helvak at Mala-Kolana.

Boars.

The wild boar (Sus indicus M. Dukar) occurs in abundance in all hilly forests of the district.

Monkeys.

Monkeys, both Mahals and Vanars, are found all over the district.

Reptiles.

Snakes, both poisonous and non-poisonous, are quite common in the forests of the Sahyadris. The Indian python is occasionally found in the thick forests. In the past the number of deaths due to snake bites was alarming but due to the recent invention of anti- venom serum, which is provided by Government, the number of deaths has come down considerably.

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