{"id":76464,"date":"2025-12-04T17:37:16","date_gmt":"2025-12-04T12:07:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/?p=76464"},"modified":"2025-12-04T17:37:16","modified_gmt":"2025-12-04T12:07:16","slug":"eastern-ghats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/eastern-ghats\/","title":{"rendered":"Eastern Ghats, Geography, Mountains, Rivers, Environment"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Eastern Ghats is situated along the eastern coast of India stretching about 1750 km. It covers five states under the area roughly measuring to 160,000 km\u00b2. It is a discontinuous chain of hills. The average elevation is around 600 m with the highest peak being Arma Konda (1,680 m). The geological uniqueness, ecological importance, and role as watershed for major rivers make it a crucial feature of peninsular India.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Eastern Ghats<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Eastern Ghats extend from north of the Mahanadi River in Odisha to the Vaigai River in Tamil Nadu in the south. It covers the states including Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. Its width varies between 100-200 km. The eastern region slopes toward the <a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/bay-of-bengal\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Bay of Bengal<\/strong><\/a>, while the western region connects to the Deccan Plateau. The Ghats are characterised by a discontinuous, fragmented structure, with multiple hill blocks separated by major river valleys.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Eastern Ghats Geography<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Eastern Ghats are among India\u2019s oldest mountain formations, with complex geological history.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The range lies roughly between latitudes 18\u00b0 13\u2032 41\u201d N, and longitudes about 82\u00b0 43\u2032 23\u201d E.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They are Precambrian (Archeozoic era) fold mountains, originally part of ancient continental assemblies.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The primary rock types are charnockite, khondalite, granite, quartzite, calcium silicate and metamorphic rocks.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The terrain shows many faults, thrusts and strike-slip movements, indicating tectonic reworking over geological time.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mineral deposits such as iron ore, bauxite, limestone and other minerals occur in various hill ranges.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The soils found in the eastern ghats region are majorly Red, Black, Laterite and Alluvial.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Eastern Ghats Divisions<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Eastern Ghats can be broadly divided into northern, central, and southern segments:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Northern section (Odisha): from Mahanadi basin to Andhra border; includes Similipal, Garhjat, Niyamgiri, with heights 900-1400 m and significant mineral wealth.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Central section (Andhra Pradesh &amp; Telangana): two parallel ranges separated by a 160 km gorge through which Godavari and Krishna flow; average height ~ 520 m.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Southern section (Karnataka &amp; Tamil Nadu): appears as fragmented hills (Nallamala, Javadi, Shevaroy etc.), with lower elevation and gentle slopes, merging into Nilgiri Hills where they meet <a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/western-ghats\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Western Ghats<\/strong><\/a>.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Eastern Ghats Mountain Ranges<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The discontinuous hills and plateaus form the notable ranges and peaks of Eastern Ghats including several important hill clusters.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Major ranges of the Northern region of the Ghats include Similipal, Garhjat, Gandhamardan, Niyamgiri and Deomali (Odisha).\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Important ranges covering the Central to Southern region of the Ghats are: Nallamala, Veligonda, Palakonda, Javadi, Melagiri, Kambakkam, etc. (Andhra Pradesh\/ Tamil Nadu\/ Karnataka).\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The discontinuous nature is especially visible between the Godavari and Krishna rivers, where the hills nearly vanish, giving way to plateaus and Gondwana basins.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Major Peaks of Eastern Ghats: Arma Konda (1,680 m) highest in Andhra Pradesh\u2019s Araku Valley sector of Eastern Ghats; Mahendragiri (\u22481,501 m) in Odisha\u2019s northern section.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Eastern Ghats Rivers<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eastern Ghats have several important east-flowing rivers and tributaries as mentioned below:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Major peninsular rivers: Godavari, Krishna, Mahanadi, and Kaveri cross the Ghats and drain into the Bay of Bengal.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Numerous smaller rivers and streams originating in or passing through Eastern Ghats include Nagavali, Vamsadhara, Sabari, Champavathi, Penna, Gundlakamma, Swarnamukhi, etc.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many rivers have carved deep gorges and valleys through the Ghats, e.g. Godavari gorge (~ 65 km wide) between hills, facilitating river flow and creating unique topography.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These rivers contribute significantly to irrigation, hydropower, and water supply for eastern coastal plains and Deccan region.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The region also consists of numerous wetlands and large coastal lagoons eg: Chilika, Kolleru and Pulicat Lake.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Eastern Ghats Environment<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The climate, rainfall and vegetation across Eastern Ghats reflect its fragmented terrain:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The climate is generally tropical to subtropical, with hot, humid summers (up to 44 \u00b0C) and moderate winters (~20 to 25 \u00b0C).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rainfall distribution varies: northern hills receive 120-150 cm, southern sections 60-110 cm, largely from monsoon and occasional cyclones.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vegetation types include nine major forest categories: tropical evergreen, semi-evergreen, moist deciduous, northern dry deciduous, southern dry deciduous, thorn scrub, dry savannah, riverine forests and dry evergreen forests depending on altitude and rainfall.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Evergreen patches occur in limited pockets (e.g. Shevaroy hills, parts of northern Andhra), while dry deciduous and scrub dominate in low rainfall or degraded zones.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Eastern Ghats Biodiversity<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eastern Ghats is ecologically rich with many endemic species and important protected areas.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Ghats harbour about 4500 flowering plant species, representing ~13% of India\u2019s flowering plants.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Commercial Tree species found are: Indian Rosewood, Teak, Mahogany and Red Sandalwood.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fauna includes Bengal tiger, Indian elephant, Indian wild dog, leopard, nilgai, Indian vulture, Indian bustards, Indian golden gecko, along with other species nearly 100 mammals, 425 birds, 99 reptiles,100\u00a0 amphibians, 155 fishes and several diverse insects.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Critically endangered and endemic species such as the Jerdon&#8217;s courser and several rare reptiles and amphibians are unique to Eastern Ghats.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Protected areas include national parks, wildlife and bird sanctuaries, tiger &amp; elephant reserves, spread across states, supporting conservation of Ghats <a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/biodiversity\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>biodiversity<\/strong><\/a>.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Eastern Ghats Significance<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Eastern Ghats play multiple roles including ecological, hydrological, cultural and economic as given below:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They serve as a watershed for major east-flowing rivers which irrigate coastal plains and support agriculture.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It provides minerals (iron ore, bauxite) supporting mining and industry sectors.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It supports forest-based livelihoods of tribal and rural communities; forest produce, non-timber forest produce, traditional medicine sources.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It acts as a biodiversity hotspot, preserving endemic species and ecological balance.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It offers potential for ecotourism, trekking and sustainable development, linking culture, environment and economy.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Eastern Ghats Challenges<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Human pressures and ecological changes pose serious threats to Eastern Ghats. The major challenges faced by the Eastern Ghats are:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Deforestation and habitat loss due to logging, mining, shifting cultivation, monoculture plantations and illegal encroachments have degraded forests and biodiversity.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Loss of biodiversity: endemic species under threat from habitat fragmentation and unsustainable exploitation.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Decline in traditional livelihoods for tribal communities as forest produce collection reduces and forest-based income sources shrink.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mining and quarrying impacts: extraction of bauxite, iron ore and other minerals leading to soil degradation, deforestation, water pollution and ecological imbalance.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Poor enforcement of protection laws and lack of community involvement, weakening conservation efforts.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Eastern Ghats Conservation<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Effective conservation of Eastern Ghats requires integrated ecological, social and policy measures. The major steps that can be taken and have been carried out for the conservation of the biodiversity and environment of ghats are:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Protected Area Expansion: Declare and expand protected areas: national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, biosphere reserves, including corridor conservation to support wildlife movement. Eg: Inclusion of Koundinya WLS, Sri Venkateswara NP, Gundla Brahmeswaram WLS to conserve elephants and endemic flora; supports the Asian Elephant Conservation Project.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Community-Based Conservation (JFM Model): Promote community-led forest management and sustainable livelihoods for tribal and local communities to reduce pressure on natural resources. Eg: Joint Forest Management committees in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh manage buffer zones showing improvement in canopy density.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Enforce mining, logging, and land-use regulations strictly, with rehabilitation and ecological restoration plans for degraded areas.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Encourage sustainable ecotourism and environmental education, balancing development with conservation.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eco-Restoration (MoEFCC): Uses assisted natural regeneration, gap planting, and soil\u2013moisture conservation. Applied in Seshachalam Hills to restore degraded Red Sanders forests after the surveys identified rapid decline.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Special Species-Focused Measures: Formulating a unique measure to protect species, eg: The Andhra Pradesh \u2018Red Sanders Anti-Smuggling Task Force\u2019 (RSASTF, 2015) established to curb illegal smuggling and promote restoration with\u00a0 stricter patrol routes and GIS mapping.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Monitoring: Biodiversity Monitoring (ZSI-BSI Surveys) for long-term species assessment across Similipal, Satkosia, Papikonda; Geospatial Monitoring (NRSC Hyderabad) for satellite-based tracking of forest fragmentation.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Know the Eastern Ghats\u2019 location, mountains, rivers, forests, wildlife, ecological importance, challenges and conservation measures across peninsular India.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":76288,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[786],"tags":[4033],"class_list":{"0":"post-76464","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-general-studies","8":"tag-eastern-ghats","9":"no-featured-image-padding"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/76464","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=76464"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/76464\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/76288"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=76464"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=76464"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=76464"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}