Description

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Context:

The Konkan region located between the Arabian Sea on one side and the Western Ghats on the other is most well-known for its beaches and temples.

About Sada

It is a flat peak formed due to centuries of erosion, locally called sada, which means a vast flat area. It is located in the Konkan region of Maharashtra.
They are similar to the plateaus, locally called patar, in the Satara district of Maharashtra, a well-known example being the Kaas plateau.

Characteristics

The orchards are barren most of the year but change during the monsoons.
They are rocky and harbor a unique endemic flora that covers them in the monsoon season. Because it consists of a highly weathered lateritic layer of soil on the surface that acts as a rainwater catchment and recharges the groundwater.
Biodiversity: This landscape consists of 459 plant species of which 105 are endemic to the Konkan region. It also recorded 31 species of reptiles, 13 species of amphibians, 169 species of birds, and 41 species of mammals in the region.
The area is also host to works of art called geoglyphs that date back to around 10,000 years ago.

Significance of the Sada

Aspect	Details
Agriculture	Small patches of sada are used for cultivating rice and millets (e.g., nanchani/Eleusine coracana) using traditional, eco-friendly practices without pesticides or chemical fertilizers.
Geology & Freshwater	The weathered lateritic soil of the sada acts as a rainwater catchment and recharges groundwater, contributing to freshwater availability.
Water Access	Villages in these areas have access to perennial freshwater through step wells, dug wells, springs, and streams.
Wildlife	The water bodies support freshwater turtles like the vulnerable Indian flapshell turtle *(Lissemys punctata)* and serve as water sources for wildlife such as leopards, jackals, hyenas, barking deer, and migratory birds.
Cultural Significance	The sada hosts 10,000-year-old geoglyphs, significant works of ancient art.
Community Practices	Community rituals often involve the conservation of water sources and hygiene practices.

Threats to the Sada

Conversion of vacant land and arable land to orchards and residential areas. Development projects also encroach on these biotopes.
The mining of laterite stone is a growing problem.
The Wasteland Atlas categorizes the set as a "wasteland", further undermining its ecological and cultural significance.

Source:

The Hindu

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.Consider the following statements regarding Sada:

It is a flat peak formed due to centuries of erosion, similar to the Kaas plateau in the Satara district.
The sada landscape is characterized by a highly weathered lateritic layer of soil that acts as a rainwater catchment and supports endemic flora.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

A) 1 only

B) 2 only

C) Both 1 and 2

D) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: c

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: The sada is a flat peak formed due to erosion and is similar to the Kaas plateau in Satara. The sada hosts geoglyphs that are approximately 10,000 years old, significant for their cultural and historical value.

Statement 2 is correct: The sada has a weathered lateritic soil layer that acts as a rainwater catchment and supports endemic flora, especially during the monsoon season. While the sada is barren for most of the year, small patches are used for traditional agriculture, including rice and millet cultivation.