If nature and adventure lovers are on the lookout for an exciting spot during this monsoon season, then the unexplored Kuskem waterfall could be a perfect location.
Located deep in the jungles of Cotigao village, this waterfall flows from a height of over 25 metres and is the source of the Kuske rivulet, which further flows into the Khushavati River, also called the Talpona River.
“Standing under the waterfall is itself an awesome sensation. Besides, people can indulge in swimming but within the limits of safety,” informed environment lover and teacher, Budhu Mahale.
According to former Cotigao sarpanch, Rajesh Gaonkar, the Kuskem waterfall has barely been explored, given the uneasy accessibility of the site.
“A few trekkers and picnickers have to cover about 2 kms of thick and dangerous vegetation from the nearest point of the NH-17 highway, somewhere near at Partagal,” said Gaonkar.
Kuskem waterfall has no proper access, except for trekking through unsafe vegetation beyond the few residential houses at Kuskem. One also has to be on the lookout for snakes and other insects.
If trekkers and picnickers visit the waterfalls during the monsoons, they will also come across several streams flowing along the trek route to the waterfall.
“It may take 20 to 25 minutes to scale through a pathway from the Kuskem residential locality. But once at the waterfall, people tend to forget the arduous journey and they are lost in nature’s bliss,” said Mahale, who regularly organizes treks for school students.
Rajesh Gaonkar informed that the Kuskem waterfall is beyond the Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary and falls under the reserved forest area.
“This is the only location which the State government can develop into a tourism site. All it needs to do is to widen the pathway by constructing some culverts over the streams for a motorable access. The site can invite hundreds of nature lovers,” said Gaonkar.
While the best time to visit the Kuskem waterfall is during the monsoons, it however attracts adventure-loving tourists, mostly foreigners and locals, throughout the year.
According to locals, those who also wish to visit the waterfall during summertime are encouraged to walk right through the river from the Kuske residential locality, avoiding the thickly vegetated pathway.
