{"id":151573,"date":"2025-01-15T19:42:05","date_gmt":"2025-01-15T14:12:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/?post_type=current-affairs&#038;p=151573"},"modified":"2025-01-15T19:42:05","modified_gmt":"2025-01-15T14:12:05","slug":"sada-on-konkan-region","status":"publish","type":"current-affairs","link":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/current-affairs\/sada-on-konkan-region","title":{"rendered":"Sada on Konkan Region"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Konkan region, situated between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats, is famous for its unique geographical features, including the sada.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>About Sada<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-151536 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/144-6787b636c2d07.webp\" alt=\"Sada\" width=\"349\" height=\"238\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/144-6787b636c2d07.webp 583w, https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/144-6787b636c2d07-300x205.webp 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 349px) 100vw, 349px\" \/><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Definition and Formation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: The sada are <\/span><b>flat-topped lateritic regions <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">in the Konkan area of the Western Ghats, formed over centuries of erosion. Locally, the term<\/span><b> &#8220;sada&#8221; means a large flat area.<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They are <\/span><b>similar to the plateaux, locally called pathar<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, in the Satara district of Maharashtra, of which the<\/span><b> Kaas Plateau<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a well-known example.\\<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Characteristics<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: These regions remain barren for most of the year but transform during the monsoons, flourishing with<\/span><b> endemic flora unique <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">to the area such as<\/span><b> Pinda concanensis.<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A biodiversity survey of the region <\/span><b>recorded 459 plant species<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, of which <\/span><b>105 are endemic to the Konkan region.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"vc_button\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pw.live\/batches\/upsc\/pw-only-ias?utm_source=seo+upsc+batch&#038;utm_medium=seo+upsc&#038;utm_campaign=seo&#038;utm_id=upsc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Enroll now for UPSC Online Classes<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"vc_table_green\"><\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 99.7992%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"width: 100%; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: rgba(184, 165, 217, 0.53); text-align: left; vertical-align: middle;\">\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt; color: #000000;\"><b>About Konkan Region<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Location<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Lies between the <\/span><b>Arabian Sea (west)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and the <\/span><b>Western Ghats (east)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in western India.<\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Extends ~330 miles (530 km) from the <\/span><b>Daman Ganga River<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (north of Mumbai) to the <\/span><b>Terekhol River<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (Maharashtra-Goa border).<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Geography<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Includes regions like <\/span><b>Thane, Greater Mumbai, Raigarh, and Ratnagiri<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Characterized by <\/span><b>seasonal rivers<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, low<\/span><b> lateritic plateaus<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and alternating <\/span><b>bays and headlands<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Economic Activities<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Agriculture:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Crops include <\/span><b>rice, pulses, vegetables, fruits, and coconuts<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other: <\/span><b>Fishing, salt manufacturing<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and <\/span><b>iron\/manganese mining<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Historical Importance<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Renowned for <\/span><b>spice trade<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with Greeks, Egyptians, and Arabs.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It hosts historical sites like <\/span><b>Elephanta and Kanheri cave temples<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Farming Practices<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: During the monsoon season, locals cultivate small patches of sada for growing rice and millets such as<\/span><b> nanchani (<\/b><b><i>Eleusine coracana<\/i><\/b><b>)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> using traditional agricultural methods that avoid pesticides and chemical fertilizers.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Perennial water sources <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: The <\/span><b>porous lateritic soil <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">of the sada<\/span><b> effectively retains rainwater, <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">facilitating a<\/span><b> year-round supply of freshwater<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> through open<\/span><b> step wells, dug wells, springs<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and <\/span><b>perennial streams.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Geoglyphs of Konkan Sada<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Definition<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: The sada hosts ancient geoglyphs, which are a form of prehistoric rock art carved on laterite stone.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Types<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: These geoglyphs include<\/span><b> rock paintings, etchings, cup marks, and ring marks,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> some of which date back <\/span><b>approximately 10,000 years.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>UNESCO Mention<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: The<\/span><b> \u201cKonkan geoglyphs\u201d<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> have been acknowledged in <\/span><b>UNESCO listings.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Significant Sites<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: India\u2019s largest rock engraving or geoglyph is located in Kasheli, in the Ratnagiri district.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Ecological Significance<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-151539 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/145-6787b635dcd66.webp\" alt=\"Sada\" width=\"355\" height=\"197\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/145-6787b635dcd66.webp 703w, https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/145-6787b635dcd66-300x166.webp 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 355px) 100vw, 355px\" \/><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Biodiversity<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: The sada supports a rich ecosystem, including 459 plant species (105 endemic to the Konkan region), 31 species of reptiles, 13 species of amphibians, 169 species of birds, and 41 species of mammals.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Wildlife Habitat<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: It provides critical habitats for vulnerable species like the<\/span><b> Vulnerable (IUCN Status)<\/b> <b>\u00a0Indian flapshell turtle (<\/b><b><i>Lissemys punctata<\/i><\/b><b>),<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as well as leopards, jackals, hyenas, barking deer, and migratory birds.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Cultural Importance<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: The region\u2019s water bodies are<\/span><b> conserved as part of local rituals dedicated to deities<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, ensuring the cleanliness and sustainability of these natural commons.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"vc_button\"><a href=\"https:\/\/store.pw.live\/govt-entrance-exams\/upsc-books\/upsc-textbooks?utm_source=SEO&#038;utm_medium=PW+Live&#038;utm_campaign=UPSC+Textbooks\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Check Out UPSC NCERT Textbooks From PW Store<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Threats<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Developmental Projects<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: The sada is under threat from land-use changes driven by the development of orchards, residential areas, and other projects.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Laterite Mining<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Mining activities for laterite stones pose a significant risk to this fragile ecosystem.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>\u2018Wasteland\u2019 Classification<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Its classification as &#8220;wasteland&#8221; in the Wasteland Atlas exacerbates the threats, undermining conservation efforts and the ecological significance of the sada.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"vc_table_green\"><\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 99.6375%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 111.19%; text-align: center;\" colspan=\"2\"><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Also Read<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 49.797%; text-align: 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sada.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":151546,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_lock_modified_date":false,"footnotes":""},"tags":[],"paper-wise":[2088],"subject":[2610,2122],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/current-affairs\/151573"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/current-affairs"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/current-affairs"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=151573"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/current-affairs\/151573\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":151576,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/current-affairs\/151573\/revisions\/151576"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/151546"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=151573"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=151573"},{"taxonomy":"paper-wise","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/paper-wise?post=151573"},{"taxonomy":"subject","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/subject?post=151573"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}