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Grassland safaris starts in Pune; two zones open to public
In a first in Maharashtra, the Pune Forest Department has started a grassland safari from today onwards (October 18). The districts of Pune and Solapur are where visitors can enjoy the grassland safari. Starting today, the forest department has opened an online booking application facility.If reports are to go by, the grassland safari is the first of its kind in Maharashtra where the total grassland area is approximately 12.3 million hectares. Previously, the total area of grassland in the state was 18 million hectares. As per reports, ill management of the grassland areas has led to this big reduction.
The Pune and Solapur grassland safari is just a small part of this grassland ecosystem. By introducing this grassland safari, the state aims to generate employment opportunities and, most importantly, educate and encourage people to join hands in grassland conservation. Wildlife tourism, when done the right way, has always played a tremendous role in the conservation of biodiversity. In today’s world, the grasslands face the great threat of human encroachment, which directly affects the region’s flora and fauna.
The grassland safari is in two locations, one in Kadbanwadi in Indapur tehsil and the other one in Shirsufal in Baramati tehsil. If reports are to go by, the grasslands in Indapur and Baramati have a unique ecosystem that attracts a number of birds and animals.
The grasslands of Indapur and Baramati are home to a number of species like hyenas, wolves, jackals, foxes, and a number of migratory and resident birds. For those interested, the online portal for the grassland safari is now open.
Source: Times Travel