Kaas Plateau gets a reel feel

The documentary will also showcase how the plateau looks in different seasons — spring,summer,monsoon and autumn.

The shooting of the documentary began a year ago as soon as the budget for it — Rs 2 lakh — was sanctioned. “It is taking time because we are shooting the plateau in different seasons. The look of the plateau keeps changing every month as per the flowering cycle of the plants. The documentary is in the final stage; the editing work is going on,which should complete in a month,” says Praveen.

The plateau is home to 850 species of flowering plants,of which 624 have entered the Red Data Book,a state document that lists species whose existence is threatened. As many as 39 species are found only in Kaas region. Some of the rare species found here include Dipcadi montanum,Ceropegia vincaefolia,Pleocaulus ritchiei and Drosera burmanii. This is also the reason why the place is popular with nature lovers,flora researchers and also photographers.

In June 2012,UNESCO announced the location as a Biodiversity World Heritage Site. “Between August and October,Kaas gets around 1,000 to 1,500 visitors during weekdays,which grows up substantially on weekends,” says Praveen.

Interestingly,the flora of Kaas is restricted to this particular location because the plateau is made of basalt,which is directly exposed to atmosphere. The basalt is covered almost entirely by a thin cover of soil — neither black nor lateritic — formed due to erosion and has accumulated a layer of not more than an inch or so. At some places,water gets accumulated because of uneven surface,which gives them the appearance of a puddle which harbor a typical marshy flora. Because of this particular situation of soil,the plants growing on Kaas plateau are typically of herbaceous nature like grass.