Friday, 19 July 2019

Bhivago Guno of Codal – natural heritage of Sattari

Codal, a village situated in the remotest corner of Sattari taluka is encircled by the chains of mountains of Sahyadri, richly blessed with the lush green forest. Inclusion of the major forested areas inside the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary from 1999 has helped Codal to keep the forest away from destruction and degradation.

Codal situated from Valpoi, the head quarter of Sattari at the distance of 15km with the geographical areas of 1250.22ha, has the major portion of village included in the Wildlife Sanctuary. Even during the Portuguese regime, there were eleven rounds declared by the Department of Agro Development on December 6, 1950 of Codal which formed the parts of the National Forests of Goa.

Inside the protected forests of Codal, there are huge boulders which are designated by the villagers by different names. However, one such
huge boulder is locally popular as the Bhivago guno.

As it lies amidst the thick jungle and away from the human settlements, there are many folk tales associated with it. Devago Suralkar, 67 years of age says, “The Pandavas of Mahabharat during their exile were in Codal. Among them, Bhima was most powerful and energetic. He used to carry a huge and tall stick with him whom he had forgotten on the way of Codal and it was popular as ‘Bhivago dano’ among villagers.

He further adds, “In due course of time people instead of Bhimacho dano began to call it as ‘Bhivgo guno’”.

This boulder, appear like a tall towering monolithic structure. It has crevices in which birds are taking shelter. The hollow spaces at the bottom are occupied by the wild animals during the night time.

Gautami Chorlekar, 19 years from Shelep Budruk of Sattari says, “This boulder is a source of attraction for the elder generation of villages of Sattari who were making a point to visit. When I first saw it, I was overwhelmed by the joy. It is the rich asset of Sattari’s naturalheritage which needs to be protected for posterity.”

“As Codal is near to the border of Karnataka, during the Portuguese rule mutineers taking part in the Rane’s Revolt to evade were hiding inside the hollow spaces of Bhivago guno”, says Mhadgo Gaonkar of 62years from Nanoda of Sattari.

From Codal, one and half hours continuous trekking through the jungle pathway and crossing two seasonal streams of Rumadsaryacho Haral and Tirfalanicho Haral one can reach to this spot only during the winter and summer seasons.

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