{"id":76438,"date":"2025-12-04T17:21:15","date_gmt":"2025-12-04T11:51:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/?p=76438"},"modified":"2025-12-04T17:21:15","modified_gmt":"2025-12-04T11:51:15","slug":"western-ghats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/western-ghats\/","title":{"rendered":"Western Ghats, Geography, Mountains, Rivers, Environment"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Western Ghats are one of the most significant ecological zones in India with exceptional biodiversity, strong influence on climate and major role in hydrological functions. It is spanned across six states- Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala, stretching from Satpura Range to Kanyakumari, covering about 160,000 sq km of area. It has a major role in the regulation of monsoon and is the home to 300+ threatened species. It supports millions of people through water, forests, minerals and agriculture.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Western Ghats<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Western Ghats border the Deccan Plateau of India in the western region. It is sometimes called the &#8220;Great Escarpment of India&#8221; as they form a continuous chain of escarpments, steep valleys, high plateaus, and deep gorges. It is known as Sahyadri in Maharashtra and Sahya Parvatham in Kerala. These mountains influence climate by intercepting southwest monsoon winds. It supports evergreen, semi-evergreen, moist deciduous, and dry deciduous forests on different slopes.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Western Ghats Geography<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Western Ghats formed through tectonic events shaping the faulted edges of the Deccan Plateau. It is formed by the subduction of the Arabian basin and tilting of the eastern and north-eastern region.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Ghats are block mountains formed due to downwarping of land towards the Arabian Sea.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Scholars suggest they are not true mountains but represent the western faulted edge of the Deccan Plateau.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Their uplifted edges create steep western cliffs and gentler eastern slopes.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This ancient terrain influences drainage, monsoon interception, soil formation, and <a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/biodiversity\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>biodiversity<\/strong><\/a> across peninsular India.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Ghats contain varied rock systems: basalt, charnockite, granite gneiss, metamorphic gneiss, khondalite and leptynite.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Several important passes cut across the Western Ghats, enabling connectivity between coastal and inland regions like: Thal Ghat, Amba Ghat, Bhor Ghat, etc.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Western Ghats Divisions<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Western Ghats are divided into northern, central, and southern sections with distinct geology, climate, and biodiversity. These divisions reflect sharp variations in elevation, rainfall, forest type, and species distribution.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Northern Western Ghats: Includes the Sahyadri in Maharashtra, Konkan Coast to the west, and Desh region to the east; marked by basaltic plateaus (lava covered). Important Peaks are: Kalsubai (highest), Salher, Mahabaleshwar, etc.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Middle\/ Central Western Ghats: It is called Kanara and includes Karnataka\u2019s Ghats, with high rainfall, dense evergreen forests, and key rivers like Sharavathi and Netravati; the region around Malanadu is prominent. Major peaks are Vavul Mala, Kudremukh, etc.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Southern Western Ghats: Includes Kerala and Tamil Nadu regions, Nilgiri malai, and high peaks like Anamudi, Annamalai, Cardamom; includes the Malabar Coast.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Western Ghats Mountain Ranges<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Western Ghats contain interconnected massifs, linking key southern hill systems and hosting the tallest peaks and major hill stations. These ancient highlands support deep valleys, steep escarpments, and plateaus shaping peninsular India\u2019s physical diversity.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Nilgiri:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> It is located southeast of Mysore and links the Western Ghats to the Eastern Ghats through the Shevaroys and Tirumala range.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Anamudi:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> It is located in Kerala is the highest peak of the Western Ghats and the tallest mountain in India outside the Himalayas.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Hills:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Major hill Stations include Matheran, Mahabaleshwar, Panchgani, Lonavala-Khandala, Amboli Ghat, Kodagu, and Kudremukh.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Western Ghats Rivers<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Western Ghats give rise to major west-flowing and east-flowing rivers that shape peninsular India\u2019s water systems. Most peninsular states depend on Western Ghats rivers for agriculture, drinking water, and hydropower.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>West Flowing Rivers:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">West-flowing rivers include Periyar, Netravati, Sharavathi, Mandovi, and Bharathappuzha; they are fast-moving due to steep descent.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Their sharp gradients and short travel distances make them major hydropower sources, especially in Karnataka and Kerala.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>East Flowing Rivers<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">East-flowing rivers include Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri, along with tributaries like Tunga, Bhadra, Bhima, Malaprabha, Hemavathi, and Kabini.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These slower, longer rivers drain into the <a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/bay-of-bengal\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Bay of Bengal<\/strong><\/a> and support major irrigation systems.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Western Ghats Environment<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Western Ghats regulate monsoons and support diverse forest types across western and eastern slopes.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Western slopes host evergreen and moist broadleaf forests with rosewood, mahogany, and cedar; they remain green year-round.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eastern slopes have dry and moist deciduous forests dominated by teak, sal, sandalwood, and shisham.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Ghats intercept moisture containing monsoon winds which influence the rainfall patterns over peninsular India.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">High montane forests strongly impact monsoon circulation.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The region hosts at least 325 globally threatened species of flora and fauna.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Western Ghats Biodiversity<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Western Ghats form a global biodiversity hotspot with high endemism, protected areas, and rare species.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is recognised as a <a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/unesco-world-heritage-sites-in-india\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>UNESCO World Heritage Site<\/strong><\/a> and one of the eight global biodiversity hotspots.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is home to 325 globally threatened species (IUCN): 229 plants, 31 mammals, 15 birds, 43 amphibians, 5 reptiles, and 1 fish.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Endemic animals include Nilgiri tahr, lion-tailed macaque, and Nilgiri marten.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Protected areas include 2 biosphere reserves, 13 national parks, and numerous wildlife sanctuaries.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is the largest contiguous protected forest zone.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Silent Valley National Park protects the last tropical evergreen forest tracts in India<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Western Ghats Significance<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Western Ghats are vital for hydrology, climate regulation, biodiversity, economy, and indigenous livelihoods.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Feed major rivers like Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri; crucial for water supply in peninsular states.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Intercept monsoon winds and influence India&#8217;s tropical climate.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sequester nearly 4 million tonnes of carbon annually, about 10 percent of India\u2019s forest-based carbon capture.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Host exceptional plant and animal diversity with high endemism.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rich in iron, manganese, and bauxite; important for forest-based industries like paper, plywood, poly-fibres, and matchwood.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Indigenous communities depend on forests for non-timber forest produce.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Western Ghat Challenges<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Western Ghats face increasing threats from mining, deforestation, settlements, plantations, and climate change.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mining violations in Goa and sand mining in Kerala degrade land and water sources.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Over-extraction of forest produce affects sustainability and biodiversity.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Grazing by dense livestock populations causes habitat loss.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Human-wildlife conflict is widespread in human-dominated landscapes.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hunting using guns, snares, and traps threatens endemic species.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Monoculture plantations like tea, coffee, rubber, oil palm cause forest loss.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Encroachment by settlements fragments protected areas.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hydropower projects disrupt ecosystems.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Deforestation and illegal logging worsen ecological decline.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Climate change increases rainfall variability and floods.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Western Ghats Conservation<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India has taken several measures to conserve the Western Ghats through expert committees and protected area expansion.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gadgil Committee (2011): Proposed declaring the entire Ghats as Ecologically Sensitive Areas with graded restrictions.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kasturirangan Committee (2013): Recommended 37 percent of the Ghats be designated ESA with bans on mining and quarrying.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Protected areas expanded through biosphere reserves, national parks, and wildlife sanctuaries.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Conservation efforts focus on controlling mining, regulating plantations, restricting hydropower development, and managing human settlements.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Forest restoration and protection of endemic species remain central strategies.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Western Ghats are a UNESCO biodiversity hotspot shaping monsoons, rivers and ecosystems. Learn their geography, peaks, species, significance and conservation measures.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":76290,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[786],"tags":[4030],"class_list":{"0":"post-76438","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-general-studies","8":"tag-western-ghats","9":"no-featured-image-padding"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/76438","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=76438"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/76438\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/76290"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=76438"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=76438"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=76438"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}