SATARA

According to locals, in talukas such as Patan, Jawali, and Mahabaleshwar, buffalo and cattle rearing are common due to their cooler and wetter climate, whereas areas with lower rainfall focus on sheep and goat rearing. Cattle and buffalo play a crucial role in farming communities, providing both milk and draft power while consuming crop residues that would otherwise go to waste. While Satara remains relatively underdeveloped, locals state that modern livestock-rearing techniques are gradually being adopted. The rise of commercial dairy farming has enabled farmers to secure dual incomes, leading to increased investment in mechanized feeding and milking equipment. Additionally, artificial insemination and selective breeding are reportedly becoming more common, improving livestock productivity and economic returns.

According to locals, Satara district is home to several pastoralist communities, notably the Dhangars, who are primarily engaged in sheep and goat herding. They follow a traditional pattern of seasonal migration, moving with their livestock in search of grazing land. In addition, the Dhangars and  Kurmar communities practice semi-pastoralism, balancing livestock rearing with agricultural labor.

The district has well-established facilities to support livestock management, veterinary services, and breeding activities. These facilities are administered by the Animal Husbandry Department to ensure livestock health and sustainable farming practices.

Some of the veterinary services in the district include:

• Veterinary Hospital, Chinchner Nimb
• Veterinary Hospital, Wai
• Utkarsh Animal Hospital, Manik Nagar
• Dr. More's Vet Pet Clinic, Godoli
• Sobati Pet Clinic, Phaltan
• Atharva Veterinary Laboratory, Phaltan

Karad Livestock Market: One of the prominent markets in the region, known for trading cattle, goats, and poultry. The market structure includes open-air stalls and auction areas where livestock is showcased and sold. Apart from this, as per the Agricultural Market Committees, prominent livestock markets in the district are-

• Satara- Sunday
• Nagthane- Tuesday
• Pachvad- Tuesday
• Aanewadi- Friday
• Pusewadi- Sunday
• Gondavale- Sunday
• Aundh- Tuesday
• Mayani- Sunday
• Shirval- Friday
• Mhaswad- Wednesday
• Lonand- Thursday
• Phaltan- Sunday

The Satara District Gazetteer, 1963, provided detailed insights into the state of fisheries in the district at that time. According to the report, the main sources of fish supply were confined to the Urmodi, Vena, Krishna, and Koyna rivers. Other rivers were considered insignificant for fisheries, as they dried up for most of the year.

Fishing methods in the district included the use of cast nets (Phekani), fixed nets (Tivari), drag nets (Vadap), draft nets (Kandyala), and hook and line (Gal). The cast net, known locally as Pag, Phekani, or Bhor jal, was a circular net with weights attached to its periphery, forming pockets where fish got trapped when the net was hauled. Fixed nets, or Tivari, were conical with an open rectangular base, set against the river current to trap fish. These nets were typically operated after the monsoon season. Drag nets (Vadap) were the largest fishing nets used in both rivers and tanks. Their structure included multiple rectangular pieces and a central conical bag, and they were hauled across the water by groups of fishermen. Drift nets (Kandyala) varied in mesh size and were used primarily in summer when water levels were low. Hook and line fishing was another common practice, involving a long line with multiple hooks and floating markers.

The district's freshwater fish species belonged to various scientific families. The Mastacembelidae family included the vam, a highly prized fish that grew up to three feet long and was typically caught using small hooks in rocky riverbeds. The Anguillidae family featured the aheer, an eel-like fish considered unappealing due to its scavenging habits but sometimes used as a dietary remedy for invalids. The Cyprinidae family, which included numerous carp species, constituted the primary food fish in the region. These included varieties such as vadas, alkul, jhori, amli, dandvan, and mhasad, the latter being known as the "Deccan Mahaseer," a prized catch for anglers. Other common species included paragi, kolshi, lalpari, khavalya, tambudki, and mullya. Fast-growing carps like Catla, Rohu, and Mirgal, imported from Bengal, were introduced in local reservoirs to boost fish production.

Silurid fish species such as wani, kaliwanj, and valshivada were carnivorous and highly esteemed as food. The bagrid family included shingla, shingti, and gogra, which were commonly found in district rivers and preferred for their taste. The sisorid family featured species like phaltarchiltu and khirit, the latter being a large yellowish fish with dark bands, capable of reaching five feet in length and weighing up to 250 pounds. The schilbeid fish included vayadi, sura, and khacalachor, with the latter known for its peculiar habit of feeding on the scales of other fish.

Other notable fish species included small bottom-dwelling varieties from the Cobitidae family, such as kapti and chichani. Carnivorous fish like murrel (kalamasa) were highly valued for their flesh and could survive out of water for extended periods due to specialized respiratory organs. The Ambassidae family included kachki, commonly referred to as "glass fish" due to their transparency, making them popular among aquarium enthusiasts. Additionally, the goby species kharpa was found in the district waters.