Page 11 - Dr. Sachin's Environmental Project on Sacred Groves in Panhala Kolhapur

Dr. Sachin Kondekar
Dr. Sachin Kondekar

Location and Administrative Region

Panhala is about 20 km from the Kolhapur City and is famous for the
historical place of fort Panhala which is Maratha capital for long time. Location

Geographical coordinates of Panhala Taluka is 16˚48'20” N and 74˚06'19.80”E and

elevation 750 m.It is enriched with lush green hills, beautiful landscape, fauna and flora.
There are more than three thousand trees including fruits, flower, foliage, ornamnetal

garden plants, grasses and medicinal plants. Panhala has not only been gifted with lush
green cool nature, birds, fresh air and calm atmosphere but a place with great history

blessed by Shivaji Maharaj.

The Taluka is surrounded by Ratnagiri district to the west, the shahuwadi Taluka to the

North, part of Karveer and Hatkanangale Talukas to the east and Gaganwabada and
Radhanagari Talukas to the South. The area of Panhala Taluka is 565.09 sq km area out

of area of Kolhapur district 7746 sq. km. panhala tahsil have 127 villages,with two big
towns. To the west mountain ranges with red soil maximum, the river banks of Warna,

contain fertile soil. The mountainous region in the west is made up of red laterite.

Climate

Panhala's climate is classified as tropical. The summers are much rainier

than the winters in Panhala. This climate is considered to be Aw according to the
Köppen-Geiger climate classification. The temperature here averages 23.1 °C. About

1636 mm of precipitation falls annually. At an average temperature of 26.9 °C, April is
the hottest month of the year. The lowest average temperatures in the year occur in

December, when it is around 20.9 °C .Between the driest and wettest months, the

difference in precipitation is 640 mm. The variation in temperatures throughout the year
is 6.0 °C.In the western region hirda, behda, ain, sag, kinjal, narkya, (all local names)

plums, cinnamon, mangoes, jackfruits are common. On the lower slopes with heavy

rainfall chandan, shisav, kejal, khair, bamboo, babool are found this area also has a lot
of medicinal plants and herbs while some medicinal plants also have been protected in

specific devrais (Sacred Groves). Population As per the census conducted in 2011 the
population of the taluka is total 26,432 in which male 14,333 female 12,099.

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