The Western Ghats
Kartavya Desk Staff
Source: TH
Context: The IUCN World Heritage Outlook 4 has placed India’s Western Ghats, under the “significant concern” category due to threats like climate change, unregulated tourism, and invasive species.
About the Western Ghats:
• What it is: The Western Ghats, also known as the Sahyadri Hills, are a north–south mountain range forming the crest of the western edge of the Deccan Plateau. They are recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the eight hottest biodiversity hotspots in the world.
• The Western Ghats, also known as the Sahyadri Hills, are a north–south mountain range forming the crest of the western edge of the Deccan Plateau.
• They are recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the eight hottest biodiversity hotspots in the world.
• Location: They run parallel to the Malabar Coast of the Arabian Sea, covering about 1,600 km from the Tapti River in Gujarat to Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu. The range traverses six states — Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu — covering an area of around 1,64,280 sq km. The chain is interrupted only by the 30 km wide Palghat Gap near 11°N latitude.
• They run parallel to the Malabar Coast of the Arabian Sea, covering about 1,600 km from the Tapti River in Gujarat to Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu.
• The range traverses six states — Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu — covering an area of around 1,64,280 sq km.
• The chain is interrupted only by the 30 km wide Palghat Gap near 11°N latitude.
• Formation: Older than the Himalayas, the Western Ghats were formed during the breakup of Gondwanaland in the Jurassic period (around 150 million years ago). They are composed mainly of basaltic lava flows and residual plateaus, acting as a geomorphic and climatic barrier that influences India’s monsoon system. The Ghats are considered an “Evolutionary Ecotone”, demonstrating speciation due to India’s geological isolation and later collision with Eurasia.
• Older than the Himalayas, the Western Ghats were formed during the breakup of Gondwanaland in the Jurassic period (around 150 million years ago).
• They are composed mainly of basaltic lava flows and residual plateaus, acting as a geomorphic and climatic barrier that influences India’s monsoon system.
• The Ghats are considered an “Evolutionary Ecotone”, demonstrating speciation due to India’s geological isolation and later collision with Eurasia.
• Key Features: Highest Peak: Anamudi (Anai Mudi) in Kerala — 2,695 m (8,842 ft). Other notable peaks include Doda Betta (Nilgiris) and Mahabaleshwar Plateau (Maharashtra). Major Rivers Originating: Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri (Cauvery) — forming peninsular India’s principal watershed. The western slopes rise sharply from the Arabian Sea, while the eastern slopes gently descend toward the Deccan Plateau. The Ghats create a rain-shadow effect, resulting in lush tropical evergreen forests on the western side and dry deciduous forests on the eastern side.
• Highest Peak: Anamudi (Anai Mudi) in Kerala — 2,695 m (8,842 ft). Other notable peaks include Doda Betta (Nilgiris) and Mahabaleshwar Plateau (Maharashtra).
• Major Rivers Originating: Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri (Cauvery) — forming peninsular India’s principal watershed.
• The western slopes rise sharply from the Arabian Sea, while the eastern slopes gently descend toward the Deccan Plateau.
• The Ghats create a rain-shadow effect, resulting in lush tropical evergreen forests on the western side and dry deciduous forests on the eastern side.
• Flora: The region hosts over 7,400 plant species, of which many are endemic. It contains some of the best non-equatorial tropical evergreen forests in the world.
• The region hosts over 7,400 plant species, of which many are endemic.
• It contains some of the best non-equatorial tropical evergreen forests in the world.
• Fauna: The Ghats are home to 325 globally threatened species. The region shelters about 30% of the world’s Asian elephants and 17% of global tiger population (Panthera tigris).
• The Ghats are home to 325 globally threatened species.
• The region shelters about 30% of the world’s Asian elephants and 17% of global tiger population (Panthera tigris).