Western Ghats, India | WWF Western Ghats, India Western Ghats, India Running along the entire west coast of India, the mountains of the Western Ghats are no snow-peaked Himalayas. But what they lack in height they make up for in biodiversity, harbouring an impressive array of India’s wildlife. Western Ghats, India. © Ameen Ahmed A biodiversity hotspot More like rolling hills than snow-covered mountains, the Western Ghats - stretching some 1,600km from the north of Mumbai to the southern tip of India - are a biodiversity hotspot that contains a large proportion of the country's plant and animal species; many of which are only found here and nowhere else in the world. In the northern part of the range , about one-third of the plants, almost half the reptiles, and more than three-fourths of the amphibians known in India are found in this narrow strip of rainforest just off the west coast.

The forests in the southwestern Ghats are even richer, hosting the country’s largest population of Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) as well as Bengal tigers (Panthera tigris tigris), lion-tailed macaques (Macaca silenus), sloth bears (Ursus ursinus), nilgiri tahrs (Hemitragus hylocrius) and much more. Mounting threats The Western Ghats were once covered in dense forests. Today, a large part of the range has been logged or converted to agricultural land for tea, coffee, rubber and oil palm, or cleared for livestock grazing, reservoirs and roads. The growth of populations around protected areas and other forests has also led to habitat destruction, increased fragmentation, wildlife poaching and human-wildlife conflict . What WWF is doing Whestern Ghats - Where do we work ? WWF is working in the Western Ghats area highlighted in blue on the map above. Wildlife conservation in the Ghats Tiger in Moyar Valley, Nilgiris District, India. © WWF-India / Vijay Kumar The largest population of Asian elephants in the world still roams free across southwestern India.

It is estimated that as many as 10,000 elephants can be found in the Nilgiri Hills , in the southwestern part of the Western Ghats. This region is also home to 10% of the world's tigers , making it an important area for the long-term conservation of this endangered species. As part of its efforts to conserve elephants, tigers and other wildlife, WWF is working in this unique part of India to: maintain the ecological integrity of forest corridors reduce conflict between wildlife and people bolster anti-poaching efforts in protected areas The Western Ghats' Nilgiris Mountains still offer safe refuge to diverse wild creatures in pockets which we must somehow protect from all harm. This, after all, is where India’s largest Asian elephant populations can still be seen. Dr Amirtharaj Christy Williams, Coordinator of WWF’s Asian Rhino and Elephant Action Strategy Facts & Figures The Western Ghats are one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots with over 5,000 flowering plants, 139 mammals, 508 birds and 179 amphibian species. At least 325 globally threatened species occur here.

The range covers 60,000km2 and forms the catchment area for a complex of river systems that drain almost 40% of India. At 2695m, Mt Anamudi in Kerala, India is the highest peak in the Western Ghats. The Western Ghats are being considered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Western Ghats | mountains, India | Britannica.com Western Ghats THIS IS A DIRECTORY PAGE. Britannica does not currently have an article on this topic. Alternative Titles: Sahyādri, Sahyādri Hills The Western Ghats in Matheran, Maharashtra, India. Nicholas Anai Peak, Western Ghats range, eastern Kerala, India. Arunguy2002 Tea plantation in the foothills of the Western Ghats, Deccan region, Kerala, India. © michel Hasson/Fotolia Village in the Anaimalai Hills, Western Ghats, Tamil Nadu state, India. Gerald Cubitt Learn about this topic in these articles: in Anai Peak peak in eastern Kerala state, southwestern India.

Located in the Western Ghats range, it rises to 8,842 feet (2,695 metres) and is peninsular India’s highest peak. From this point radiate three ranges—the Anaimalai to the north, the Palni to the northeast, and the Cardamom Hills to the south. Several rivers, including the Periyar and Amaravati, rise in the surrounding ranges. Anai Peak... in Asia (continent): Water resources ...depends on the Indus River and its tributaries in the Punjab, and the waters of the Indus basin are highly regulated, with numerous barrages and canals providing water for irrigation. The Western Ghats, which slope down abruptly to the western maritime plains, would theoretically allow dams to harness water flowing down the steep slope; however, the rivulets that rise on the summit... in Indian monsoon: Peak period Most spectacular clouds and rain occur against the Western Ghats in India, where the early monsoonal airstream piles up against the steep slopes, then recedes, and piles up again to a greater height.

Each time it pushes thicker clouds upward until wind and clouds roll over the barrier and, after a few brief spells of absorption by the dry inland air, cascade toward the interior. The windward... in India: History ...Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri (Cauvery)—into the Bay of Bengal. Rising some 3,000 feet (1,000 metres) or more along the western edge of the Deccan, the escarpment known as the Western Ghats traps the moisture of winds from the Arabian Sea, most notably during the southwest monsoon, creating a tropical monsoon climate along the narrow western littoral and depriving the... in Ghats The Western Ghats, which are possibly a fault scarp, are the crest of the western edge of the Deccan plateau. Their steep seaward slopes are deeply dissected by streams and canyonlike valleys, but on the landward side their slopes are gentle and give way to wide, mature valleys. The range extends northward to the Tapti River and southward almost to Cape Comorin at India’s southern tip. The...

in India: The Western Ghats The Western Ghats, also called the Sahyadri, are a north-south chain of mountains or hills that mark the western edge of the Deccan plateau region. They rise abruptly from the coastal plain of the Arabian Sea as an escarpment of variable height, but their eastern slopes are much more gentle. The Western Ghats contain a series of residual plateaus and peaks separated by saddles and passes. The... in Karnataka (state, India): Relief, drainage, and soils Physiographically, Karnataka is divided into four distinct regions—the coastal plain, the hill ranges (the Western Ghats), the Karnataka Plateau to the east, and the black-soil tract to the northwest. The coastal plain represents a northward continuation of the Malabar Coast, with sand dunes giving place inland to small alluvial plains and lagoons. The coast itself is difficult to access,... in Kerala Although isolated from the Indian interior by the mountainous belt of the Western Ghats, Kerala has been exposed to many foreign influences via its long coastline; consequently, the state has developed a unique culture within the subcontinent, not only with a diverse religious tradition but also with its own language, Malayalam.

Also notable is the high social status that continues to be... in Maharashtra: Relief, drainage, and soils The Western Ghats (a mountain range at the western edge of the Deccan plateau; ghat means “pass” in Marathi) run almost continuously for 400 miles (640 km) north-south, with the foothills reaching to within 4 miles (6.4 km) of the Arabian Sea. Elevations increase northward to peaks of some 4,720 feet (1,440 metres). There are a few passes... in Pune The region surrounding Pune includes the Sahyadri Hills, the Balaghat Range (north), and the Mahadeo Hills (south), which enclose the northern Bhima River valley. Chief crops are jowar (grain sorghum), bajra (pearl millet), sugarcane, and rice. Most of the important religious, historical, and tourist attractions of the region are located in the Sahyadri... in Ratnagiri The town has a marine biology research station and is one of the ports of the Konkan Coast. Ratnagiri is a popular resort.

The surrounding area is bordered on the east by the Sahyadri Hills of the Western Ghats. The hills receive heavy annual rainfall, which runs off in rapid streams that have dissected the landscape, creating infertile plateaus separated by fertile alluvial valleys. The main... in Tamil Nadu: Relief, drainage, and soils ...part of the eastern plains is the fertile Kaveri (Cauvery) River delta; farther south are the arid flatlands surrounding the cities of Ramanathapuram and Madurai (Madura). The high peaks of the Western Ghats run along the state’s western border. Various segments of this mountain range— including the Nilgiri, Anaimalai, and Palni hills—have peaks exceeding 8,000 feet (2,400... in India: The southwest monsoon ...on the windward side of that highland barrier. Annual precipitation in parts of the region exceeds 100 inches (2,540 mm) and is as high as 245 inches (6,250 mm) at Mahabaleshwar on the crest of the Western Ghats.

Conversely, as the winds descend on the leeward side of the Western Ghats, the air’s moisture-bearing capacity increases and the resultant rain shadow makes for a belt of semiarid... Western Ghats - UNESCO World Heritage Centre Western Ghats Indicators Western Ghats Older than the Himalaya mountains, the mountain chain of the Western Ghats represents geomorphic features of immense importance with unique biophysical and ecological processes. The site’s high montane forest ecosystems influence the Indian monsoon weather pattern. Moderating the tropical climate of the region, the site presents one of the best examples of the monsoon system on the planet. It also has an exceptionally high level of biological diversity and endemism and is recognized as one of the world’s eight ‘hottest hotspots’ of biological diversity. The forests of the site include some of the best representatives of non-equatorial tropical evergreen forests anywhere and are home to at least 325 globally threatened flora, fauna, bird, amphibian, reptile and fish species.

Ghâts occidentaux Plus ancienne que les montagnes de l’Himalaya, la chaîne de montagne des Ghâts occidentaux présente des caractéristiques géomorphiques d’une immense importance avec un processus biophysique et écologique unique. Les écosystèmes forestiers de haute montagne influencent les conditions météorologiques de la mousson indienne. Jouant un rôle de modération du climat tropical de la région, le site présente un des meilleurs exemples de systèmes de mousson de la planète. Le site a également un niveau exceptionnellement élevé de diversité biologique et d’endémisme. Il est reconnu comme l’un des huit points chauds de la biodiversité au monde. Les forêts se composent des meilleurs exemples de forêts sempervirentes tropicales non équatoriales au monde. Elles abritent au moins 325 espèces, globalement menacées, de flore, de faune, d’oiseaux, d’amphibiens et de reptiles.

Ghats occidentales La cadena montañosa de los Ghats occidentales, más antigua que el Himalaya, presenta rasgos geomórficos de capital importancia, con procesos biofísicos y ecológicos únicos. Los ecosistemas forestales de alta montaña del sitio influyen en el ciclo climático de los monzones. Al moderar el clima tropical de la región, representa uno de los mejores ejemplos del sistema monzónico del planeta. El sitio tiene también un grado excepcionalmente alto de diversidad biológica y endemismo. Ha sido reconocido como uno de los ocho “lugares más candentes” de la biodiversidad en la Tierra. El sitio incluye algunos de los bosques tropicales perennes no ecuatoriales más representativos del mundo y es hábitat de al menos 325 especies de flora, fauna, aves, anfibios, reptiles y peces amenazados de extinción.

source: UNESCO/ERI source: NFUAJ West-Ghats De West-Ghats zijn ouder dan het Himalaya gebergte en hebben belangrijke geomorfologische kenmerken, met unieke biofysische en ecologische processen. De hoge bergachtige bosecosystemen beïnvloeden het weerpatroon van de Indiase moessons. De West-Ghats matigen het tropische klimaat van de omgeving en daarmee geeft de bergketen een duidelijk voorbeeld van het moessonsysteem op aarde. Het gebied kent een uitzonderlijk hoge biodiversiteit en wordt erkend als één van 's werelds acht 'heetste hotspots' van biologische diversiteit. De bossen van de West-Ghats vormen een toonaangevend voorbeeld van niet-equatoriale, tropische, groenblijvende bossen wereldwijd. Ze zijn de thuisbasis van minstens 325 wereldwijd bedreigde flora, fauna, vogel-, amfibie-, reptiel- en vissoorten.

Grass Hills view from Akkamalai © S. Thangaraj Panner Selvam, Forest Ranger, Ulandy Range, Topslip Outstanding Universal Value Brief synthesis The Western Ghats are internationally recognized as a region of immense global importance for the conservation of biological diversity, besides containing areas of high geological, cultural and aesthetic values. A chain of mountains running parallel to India’s western coast, approximately 30-50 km inland, the Ghats traverse the States of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra and Gujarat. These mountains cover an area of around 140,000 km² in a 1,600 km long stretch that is interrupted only by the 30 km Palghat Gap at around 11°N. Older than the great Himalayan mountain chain, the Western Ghats of India are a geomorphic feature of immense global importance. The Outstanding Universal Value of the Western Ghats is manifested in the region’s unique and fascinating influence on large-scale biophysical and ecological processes over the entire Indian peninsula.

The mountains of the Western Ghats and their characteristic montane forest ecosystems influence the Indian monsoon weather patterns that mediate the warm tropical climate of the region, presenting one of the best examples of the tropical monsoon system on the planet. The Ghats act as a key barrier, intercepting the rain-laden monsoon winds that sweep in from the south-west during late summer. A significant characteristic of the Western Ghats is the exceptionally high level of biological diversity and endemism. This mountain chain is recognized as one of the world’s eight ‘hottest hotspots’ of biological diversity along with Sri Lanka. The forests of the Western Ghats include some of the best representatives of non equatorial tropical evergreen forests in the world. At least 325 globally threatened (IUCN Red Data List) species occur in the Western Ghats. The globally threatened flora and fauna in the Western Ghats are represented by 229 plant species, 31 mammal species, 15 bird species, 43 amphibian species, 5 reptile species and 1 fish species.

Of the total 325 globally threatened species in the Western Ghats, 129 are classified as Vulnerable, 145 as Endangered and 51 as Critically Endangered. Criterion (ix): The Western Ghats region demonstrates speciation related to the breakup of the ancient landmass of Gondwanaland in the early Jurassic period; secondly to the formation of India into an isolated landmass and the thirdly to the Indian landmass being pushed together with Eurasia. Together with favourable weather patterns and a high gradient being present in the Ghats, high speciation has resulted. The Western Ghats is an “Evolutionary Ecotone” illustrating “Out of Africa” and “Out of Asia” hypotheses on species dispersal and vicariance. [tb1] Criterion (x): The Western Ghats contain exceptional levels of plant and animal diversity and endemicity for a continental area. In particular, the level of endemicity for some of the 4-5,000 plant species recorded in the Ghats is very high: of the nearly 650 tree species found in the Western Ghats, 352 (54%) are endemic.

Animal diversity is also exceptional, with amphibians (up to 179 species, 65% endemic), reptiles (157 species, 62% endemic), and fishes (219 species, 53% endemic). Invertebrate biodiversity, once better known, is likely also to be very high (with some 80% of tiger beetles endemic). A number of flagship mammals occur in the property, including parts of the single largest population of globally threatened ‘landscape’ species such as the Asian Elephant, Gaur and Tiger. Endangered species such as the lion-tailed Macaque, Nilgiri Tahr and Nilgiri Langur are unique to the area. The property is also key to the conservation of a number of threatened habitats, such as unique seasonally mass-flowering wildflower meadows, Shola forests and Myristica swamps. Integrity The property is made up of 39 component parts grouped into 7 sub-clusters. The serial approach is justified in principle from a biodiversity perspective because all 39 components belong to the same biogeographic province, and remain as isolated remnants of previous contiguous forest.

The justification for developing a serial approach rather than just identifying one large protected area to represent the biodiversity of the Western Ghats is due to the high degree of endemism, meaning that species composition from the very north of the mountains to 1,600km south varies greatly, and no one site could tell the story of the richness of these mountains. The formulation of this complex serial nomination has evolved through a consultative process drawing on scientific analysis from various sources. [tb5] The 39 component parts grouped into 7 sub-clusters together reflect the Outstanding Universal Value of the property and capture the range of biological diversity and species endemism in this vast landscape. Protection and management requirements The 39 component parts of this serial property fall under a number of protection regimes, ranging from Tiger Reserves, National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, and Reserved Forests. All components are owned by the State and are subject to stringent protection under laws including the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972, the Indian Forest Act of 1927, and the Forest Conservation Act (1980). Through these laws the components are under the control of the Forestry Department and the Chief Wildlife Warden, providing legal protection.

40% of the property lies outside of the formal protected area system, mostly in Reserved Forests, which are legally protected and effectively managed. The Forest Conservation Act (1980) provides the regulatory framework to protect them from infrastructure development. Integrating the management of 39 components across 4 States is a challenge, for which a 3-tier governance mechanism is required that will operate at the Central, State and Site levels to provide effective coordination and oversight to the 39 components. A Western Ghats Natural Heritage Management Committee (WGNHMC) under the auspices of the Ministry of Environment of Forests (MoEF), Government of India to deal with coordination and integration issues is already functional. All 39 components in the 7 sub-clusters are managed under specific management / working plans duly approved by the State/Central governments. The livelihood concerns of the local communities are regulated by the Forest Rights Acts, 2006 and their participation in governance is ensured through Village Ecodevelopment Committees (VECs).

News Western Ghats Mountain Range in India Home > Reference > Geography of India > Indian Mountains > Indian Mountain Ranges > Western Ghats Mountain Range in India Western Ghats Mountain Range in India Western Ghats Mountain Ranges constitute the beautiful array of mountains along the western coast of India. Western Ghats Mountain Ranges, with an average altitude of 1200 metres, occupies around 60,000 sq kms. Free E-magazine Subscribe to Free E-Magazine on Reference Western Ghats mountain ranges constitute the beautiful array of mountains along the western coast of India that separates the Deccan Plateau from a narrow coastal strip along the Arabian Sea . It is a virtual mountain range as it is a fractured extension of the Deccan Plateau possibly formed during the break up of the super continent Gondwana. This particular mountain range starts from the southern part of the Tapti River near the border area of the states of Gujarat and Maharashtra . Western Ghats mountain ranges cover a length of around 1600 km running through the states of Maharashtra, Goa , Karnataka , Tamil Nadu and Kerala finally culminating at Kanyakumari District , in the southern-most tip of the Indian peninsula.

Covering an area of around 60,000 sq kilometres they form the catchments area for a large number of rivers draining almost 40 percent of the Indian sub-continent. Mountains, Gaps and Passes of Western Ghats Western Ghats have an average elevation of 1200 metres. However, in certain places they rise abruptly to a height of over 2440 metres. The Western Ghats of Maharashtra, extending from the Satpura Mountain Range to the north, travels towards the south past Goa to Karnataka. The principal hill range of the segment is the Sayadhri range. The two main peaks here are Kalsubai, having a height of 1646 metres and Salher with a height of 1567 metres. There are a number of gaps and passes in the Western Ghats, notable among them being the Thal Ghat and the Bhor Ghat. The southern part of the Western Ghats mountain ranges harbour the Nilgiri hills, which serve as the meeting point of the Western and Eastern Ghats. The Nilgiris show a steep rise from the plains and enclose between them the Karnataka Plateau .

There are two highest peaks in the Nilgiri Hills Dodabetta, having a height of 2637 metres and Makurti, having a height of 2554 metres. To the south of the Nilgiri Hills is located the Palghat gap, extending from the east to the west of the mountain ranges. With a width of 24 km, the Palghat gap is an easy passageway across the Western Ghats. To the south of the Nilgiris are the Anaimalai, Cardamom and Palni hills. The Anaimudi is the highest peak in Peninsular India. It is situated in the Anaimalai hills and has a height of 2695 metres. The narrow coastal plain between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea is known as the Konkan Coast in the north and the Malabar Coast in the south. The largest city amidst these mountains is Pune . Climate and Rainfall in the Western Ghats Mountain Ranges The lower parts of the Western Ghats mountain ranges record humid and tropical type of climate.

The elevated regions (around 1,500 metres and above in the north and 2,000 metres and above in the south) have a more moderate climate. Mean temperature varies from 24 degree Celsius in the north to 20 degree Celsius in the south. However, the Western Ghats have a climate largely modified by the winds as they play a significant role in the seasonal cycle. In the summer season, they are responsible for ushering the monsoons while in the winter season these winds offer a calming effect. During the monsoon period that is in between June and September, the path of heavy, eastward-moving rain bearing clouds is interrupted by the Western Ghats. This results in more rain on the windward side, an average of near about 3,000 mm to 4,000 mm with occasional extremes of 9,000 mm. On the other hand the eastern region of the Western Ghats, which is the rain-shadow region, records an average of 1000 mm. The Coromandel Coast falls in the rain shadow of the Western Ghats, and receives less rainfall during the summer southwest monsoon, which contributes heavily to rainfall in the rest of the country.

Rivers in Western Ghats Mountain Ranges The drainage system of the Western Ghats constitutes the perennial rivers of peninsular India. Westward flowing rivers like the Godavari River, Krishna River , and Kaveri River drain into the Arabian Sea. Moreover, rivers like the Zuari River , Mandovi River and Periyar River that flow eastwards drain into the Bay of Bengal. Some of these rivers feed the backwaters of Maharashtra and Kerala. The Chittar River, Kabini River , Kallayi River , Bhima River , Malaprabha River , Kundali River , Pachaiyar River, Manimuthar River, Pennar River, and the Tambaraparani River are other relatively smaller rivers. Prominent reservoirs in the Western Ghats comprise the Koyna Dam in Maharashtra, the Parambikulam Dam in Kerala, and the Linganmakki Dam in Karnataka. The Western Ghats is considered as one of the most cherished ecological destinations.

The chief ecosystems of the Western Ghats include the tropical wet evergreen forests in Amboli and Radhanagari, the montane evergreen forests in Mahabaleshwar and Bhimashanker, the moist deciduous forests in Mulsi and the scrub forests in Mundunthurai. The vegetation all along the Western Ghats mountain ranges offers much variety ranging from grassland, scrub jungles along the lower altitudes, dry and moist deciduous forests, to semi-evergreen and evergreen forests. There are two major centres of multiplicity, the Agashyamalai hills and the Silent Valley. The many-sided landscape and the heavy rainfall have made certain areas inaccessible and have helped in preserving the diversity of the region. A large range of flowering plant species of the country are found in this region. Of the 450 plants found in this region, 40 percent are prominent because they have been totally acclimatised to the climate. The wildlife provides an equal diversity. The Nilgiri biodiversity reserve, the only biodiversity reserve in the Western Ghats, promotes conservation of endemic and endangered species. In the Western Ghats, some national parks have also been built.

The Borivali National Park and the Nagarhole National Park harbours many kinds of birds while the Bandipur National Park is home to many tigers, leopards, sloth bears, barking deer and mouse deer. Anamalai Wildlife Sanctuary located in Tamil Nadu has evergreen forests as well as temperate grasslands. Animals that are mostly found here include Nilgiri langur, rare lion-tailed macaque, spotted deer, and the giant squirrel and birds like hornbills, fairy bluebirds and racket tailed drongos. The famous Periyar National Park in Kerala harbours a large number of elephants, gaur, lion-tailed macaque and a variety of birds. However, as is the case for many ecosystems, modernisation has taken its toll on this region. This has led to the extinction of many species and more are in danger of becoming extinct.

(Last Updated on : 12/08/2013) Western Ghats | ARKive Western Ghats The Palni hills in the Western Ghats » Description Stretching like a mountainous spine down the western edge of India, the Western Ghats are a unique mountain range that harbours an incredible diversity of flora and fauna (1) (2) . Although most of the Western Ghats appear more like rolling hills than craggy snow-covered peaks (2) , parts of it do reach over 2,000 metres and it contains the highest mountain in India, the Anaimudi, at 2,695 metres (3) . The peaks of the Western Ghats intercept the south-western monsoon winds (1) , which bring heavy rain between June and... References Description Stretching like a mountainous spine down the western edge of India, the Western Ghats are a unique mountain range that harbours an incredible diversity of flora and fauna (1) (2) .

Although most of the Western Ghats appear more like rolling hills than craggy snow-covered peaks (2) , parts of it do reach over 2,000 metres and it contains the highest mountain in India, the Anaimudi, at 2,695 metres (3) . The peaks of the Western Ghats intercept the south-western monsoon winds (1) , which bring heavy rain between June and September (1) . An astonishing 2 to 8 metres of rain drench the Western Ghats each year, most of it falling in the short monsoon period (4) . These rains feed dozens of rivers that originate in the mountains (1) , and flow down into India, providing drinking water, irrigation, and power for approximately 245 million people (1) (4) . The rainfall patterns in the Western Ghats not only sustain the livelihoods of millions, but, coupled with the region’s complex geography and temperature gradient (from over 30 degrees Celsius at sea level to 0 degrees Celsius at the highest parts (5) ), produces a great variety of vegetation types (1) .

Scrub forests on the low-lying, drier, eastern slopes give way to deciduous and tropical rainforests that occur up to about 1,500 metres (1) . Above this elevation, a mosaic of rolling grasslands and montane cloud forests (locally called ‘shola’) blanket the Ghats (1) (6) . The Western Ghats also contain savannas; peat bogs, where grasses, sedges and mosses flourish in areas of high rainfall over 2,000 metres; and Myristica swamps, a freshwater wetland unique to the Western Ghats found between sea level and 600 metres (4) . This incredible variety in vegetation types gives rise to an astonishing diversity of fauna. Although the Western Ghats cover less than 6 percent of the land area of India, it contains more than 30 percent of the country’s mammal, bird, reptile, amphibian and fish species (4) , and many animals are still being discovered (4) .

Top Range The Western Ghats run 1,600 kilometres from just north of Mumbai, south through the states of Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka and Kerala before petering out in Tamil Nadu, close to the southern tip of the Indian peninsula (7) . Most of the Western Ghats run parallel to the coast, 50 to 80 kilometres inland from the Arabian Sea (3) . This mountainous range covers an area of about 160,000 square kilometres (1) , and is broken only by the Palghat Gap, a 302 kilometre wide gap in the Western Ghats (6) (8) . Biodiversity Plants Over 5,000 different plants occur in the Western Ghats. Around 1,700 of these are found nowhere else in the world (1) . This includes the wild relatives of many economically important species, such as grains (including rice and barley), fruits ( mango , banana and jackfruit), and spices (black pepper, cinnamon, cardamom and nutmeg ) (4) , as well as numerous medicinal plants (4) , such as the highly threatened white damor (Vateria indica) .

The fragrant resin and seed oil of this large evergreen tree can be used in medicines, as well as in soap and candle manufacturing (9) . Other notable plants that occur in the Western Ghats include Wight’s sago palm (Arenga wightii) whose starch and sap (palm wine) provides an alternate source of food and drink for the local Muthuvans tribes (10) , and Cycas circinalis , an endangered cycad (11) that plays an important role in the ecosystem. Not only does this cycad host the plains cupid butterfly (Edales pandava), but it is also thought that fruit bats feed on its seeds, providing one of the few food sources in the forest during the monsoon season (12) . Mammals Around 120 mammal species have been recorded in the Western Ghats (6) . Most notably, they are home to both the world’s largest population of Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) and to ten percent of the world’s tigers (Panthera tigris) (2) .

Prominent endemic mammals include the Nilgiri tahr (Hemitragus hylocrius) , which can be observed on the cliffs and high, grassy plateaus, and the lion-tailed macaque (Macaca silenus) which inhabits the evergreen forest (6) (11) . Nearly 50 of the mammal species found in the Western Ghats are bats (1) . This includes Salim Ali’s fruit bat (Latidens salimalii) , remarkable for being the only species in its genus (1) . Birds A great diversity of birds have been recorded in the Western Ghats (1) , from the imposing Indian vulture (Gyps indicus) to the tiny blue Nilgiri flycatcher (Eumyias albicaudatus) , and the stunning Indian peafowl (Pavo cristatus) (13) . Of the 500 bird species known from the Western Ghats, around 22 species occur nowhere else in the world (6) .

Many of these endemic species, such as the Nilgiri wood pigeon (Columba elphinstonii) and Nilgiri blue robin (Myiomela major) , are considered threatened (6) (11) . Reptiles and amphibians The 225 species of reptiles recorded in the Western Ghats includes some fascinating and unique animals (6) , such as the endemic Cochin forest cane turtle (Vijayachelys silvatica) (11) , the wonderfully named mugger (Crocodylus palustris) , and the infamous king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) . A family of primitive burrowing snakes, the Uropeltidae, are also largely restricted to these mountain ranges (6) . Equally as intriguing are the 117 amphibian species found in the Western Ghats, of which 89 are endemic (14) . This includes the peculiar-looking purple frog (Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis) , which was only recently discovered in the southern Western Ghats, and represents an entirely new genus (6) .

Fish and invertebrates The numerous rivers and streams that originate in the Western Ghats are home to a remarkable variety of fish. Of the 288 species recorded, 118 are endemic (16) . This includes the Denison barb (Puntius denisonii) , a pretty, stream-dwelling fish that is a popular species in the ornamental fish trade (16) . While knowledge on the invertebrate fauna of the Western Ghats is relatively poor (1) , the available information indicates that the Ghats harbour an abundance of diverse invertebrates , many of which are believed to be endemic (1) . For example, of nearly 140 tiger beetle species known from the Western Ghats, more than 100 are found nowhere else (1) . An incredible 330 butterfly species have been recorded in the Western Ghats (6) . One of these species, the Travencore evening brown (Parantirrhoea marshalli) , can only be found in a small area of mid-elevation forest in the Ghats, where it flutters around reed patches at twilight (17) . Search ARKive for green-flagged Material .

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More » Western Ghats species Western Ghats Tourism | Western Ghats Tourist Places | Western Ghats Travel Guide | Western Ghats Weather | Western Ghats Photos | Travel.India.com > Western Ghats WESTERN GHATS TOURISM A UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the eight hottest bio-diversity hotspots in the world, the Western Ghats are a mountain range, spread over 1600 km in western India. Stretching north to south along the western edge of the Deccan plateau it is also called the ‘Great Escarpment of India’ and starts from the border of Gujarat and ends at Kanyakumari . The mountain range extends over Maharashtra , Karnataka , Kerala and Tamil Nadu and contains 39 properties including wildlife sanctuaries, national parks and reserve forests, which have been designated as World Heritage Sites. Several hill stations, cities and lakes, which are popular tourist destinations are part of this range. The Western Ghats are divided in to several hill ranges, such as the Sahyadris, Nilgiris, Anaimalai hills and Cardamom hills.

The Sahyadhri range consists of numerous hill stations like Matheran , Mahabaleshwar , Panchgani and Amboli ghat. The Nilgiri range is home to famous hill stations like Ooty , Coonoor, Wayanad , Coorg , Idukki and Munnar . Anaimudi peak (8,842 ft) on the Tamil Nadu-Kerala border is the highest peak in the Western Ghats. Other prominent peaks include Mullayanagari (6,317 ft) and Kudremukh (6,110 ft) in Karnataka and Kalsubai (5,427) in Maharashtra among others. The area of the Western Ghats is ecologically sensitive and was declared an ecological hotspot in 1988. The mountain range is home to over 5,000 species of flowering plants, 139 mammal species, 508 bird species and 179 amphibian species which are not found elsewhere in the world. To protect the endangered species and restrict human activities, the government has established many protected areas including two biosphere reserves, 13 national parks and several wildlife sanctuaries.

The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is the largest protected area in the Western Ghats. Covering an area of 5500 sq km, this reserve comprises the evergreen forests of Nagarhole, deciduous forests of Bandipur National Park, Nagu in Karnataka and adjoining regions of Wayanad, Mudumalai National Park and Mukurthi National Park in the states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala respectively. The Western Ghats are home to several endangered species such as the Malabar large-spotted civet, lion-tailed macaque, which are seen in the Silent Valley national Park and Kudremukh National Park. Other endangered animals are the Asian elephants, which can be spotted in the Nilgiri Bio-sphere reserve. Other popular mammals found in the Western Ghats are tiger, sloth bear, leopard, wild boars, sambar, black panther, Great Indian Hornbill. Of the 508 species of birds found in the Western Ghats, about 500 can be seen in Karnataka’s Bhadra wildlife sanctuary , which is located at the northern end of the Malabar ranges.

Birds like Nilgiri wood-pigeon, white-bellied shortwing and broad-tailed grassbird, grey-breasted laughingthrush and many others are seen in the Western Ghats. About 102 species of fish are found in the water bodies of Western Ghats. The Western Ghats - definition of The Western Ghats by The Free Dictionary The Western Ghats - definition of The Western Ghats by The Free Dictionary Also found in: Encyclopedia , Wikipedia . Related to The Western Ghats: Sahya Mountains Western Ghats Western Ghats pl n (Placename) a mountain range in W peninsular India, parallel to the Malabar coast of the Arabian Sea. Highest peak: Anai Mudi, 2695 m (8841 ft) West′ern Ghats′ n.pl. a low mountain range in W India, along the W margin of the Deccan plateau and bordering on the Arabian Sea. ab. 1000 mi. (1600 km) long.

World Atlas: the Mountains of the World - Western Ghats, Sahyadri World Atlas - the Mountains of the World : Western Ghats - Sahyadri Western Ghats Range, Sahya Parvatham Countries: India Highest point: Anamudi, 2 695 m. Length: 1 600 km Western Ghats Kerala - Kerala Travel: Trivandrum, Kollam (Quilon) Kerala Travel: Trivandrum, Kollam (Quilon) N G Nair India. Kerala Travel Report. 2012 ‎ > ‎ About Kerala Geographical Background ‎ > ‎ Western Ghats Kerala 1000 BC - Cheap tour to kerala Thiruvananthapuram which was previously called Trivandrum, is an ancient city with tradition dating back to 1000 BC.Located at the South Western tip of India, is bounded by the Arabian sea on the West and Tamil Nadu and Western Ghats on the East. Thiruvananthapuram had managed to retain some of the ambience characteristics ofKerala such as red tiled roofs, narrow winding lanes and intimate corner cafes. The famous beaches are towards the fishing.

1000 BC - Arabian Sea and the Western ghats surround Kerala providing it with natural defense mechanism - hills sealing off one longitudinal section leaving it open to access from the sea alone. Sea trade started with the Phoenicians and in 1000 BC, King Solomon's ships docked in Kerala. This was followed by the galleys from other countries such as Greece, Rome, Arabia and China. 100 BC - Piper nigrum is native to the Western Ghats of Kerala State, India, where it still occurs wild in the mountains. P. nigrum reached Southeast Asia as early as 100 BC, brought by Hindu colonists migrating from India to Indonesia and other countries. 52 AD - Legislative assembly of the State of Kerala. Kerala is different from the rest of India in many ways having been isolated from it by a range of high mountains, the Western Ghats. The "land of coconuts" has a long history of contact with the outside world starting with trade with Rome. St Thomas the Apostle came here in 52 AD and was followed by jewish settlers. 52 AD - His famous palace Allal Perumkovilakam was near Thiruvanchkulam.

It is also believed that St. Thomas, an apostle of Jesus Christ landed in Muziris in 52 AD. Cheraman Parambu, the ancient Thiruvanchikulam Temple, the Bhagavathy Temple, the Portuguese fort and the old mosque built in the lines of a Hindu temple are of tourist interest in Kodungallur. Palakkad: The district lies at the foot of the Western Ghats. Much of the area is made up of plains of midlands. 1000 AD - Around 1000 AD, a Pandiyan prince managed to extend his power far into the heart of Kerala and established his rule in Pandalam. During the long control of Pandalam over the border lands of Kerala, the Tamils enjoyed freedom of movement and settlement in the high ranges of the Western Ghats and around places like Kanjirapally, Aruvithura (Erattupetta) etc. The colonisation of tradesmen from neighbouring Tamilnadu is an important landmark in the evolution of Kanjirapally . 1000 AD - Cardamom is indigenous to Western Ghats in South lndia.

lt is mentioned by Theophrastus in the fourth century BC and later by Dioscorides in fifth century BC By 1000 AD, it was an article of trade from lndia westwards. Cardamom occurs wild in southern lndia, particularly in the moist forests of the hilly regions of Mysore and Kerala. lt is also grown in adequate amounts in Sikkim. Cultivation of this spice is still limited to a few countries, mainly South lndia, 1498 - Kerala 'The God's Own country' is an enchantingly beautiful, emerald green land, flanked by the Western Ghats on one side, the Arabian Sea on the other, and strewn with rivers, lagoons, backwaters and rich vegetation. Legends state that Kerala was created by Parshuram (a famous ancient sage). Vasco da Gama discovered the sea route to India from Europe when he landed near Calicut in 1498 AD. Kerala is situated, in the South West corner of Indian peninsula. Aug 1498 - Jetsam Method of Attack. In Marco Polo observed another Malabari system of attacking their prey at sea.

He observed this at Eli-Yeli-Mala, the only spur of the western Ghats, which reaches the present Kerala State, a promontory some 16 miles north of Cannanore. This was the first land seen by Vasco da Gama on that memorable morning inAugust, 1498. If any ship entered this Kerala estuary and anchored there Avhile it was bound for another port, 1514 - According to many Arab travellers, who visited the Malabar Coast between 9th and 14th AD, Kasargod (Harakwillia, as it was called by the Arabs) was a prime commercial centre of the Western Ghats. Mr.Barbose, the Portuguese traveller, who happened to visit Kumbla near Kasargod in 1514, had recorded that rice was exported to Male Island whence coir was chiefly imported. The rich pageant of Theyyam's (the ritualistic folk dance of northern Kerala) ditties and performances. 1708 - The Thalassery Fort, also in Kannur district was built by the British in 1708. It is square with massive walls and hidden tunnels leading to the sea.

The outsized doors are intricately carved and imposing. Scholars opine that the oldest fort in Kerala along Podiya hills southernmost tip of Western Ghats, goes back to the 8th or 9th when the land was under the rule of the Ay dynasty. It covered 800 sq m. towards the sea side walls, tapering upwards, were made from boulders. 1741 - The Dutch were ousted in 1741 by the princely state of Travancore, which itself in the 1790s came under British protectorate status. The Kerala state is well known for its geographical features, which attracts a lot of tourists from all over the world. This unique feature of Kerala has made the National Geographical Channel ranked the state in the worlds must visit 50 places. The geographically blessed state of Kerala is networked with 44 rivers, hundreds of lake/ponds. 1755 - Marthanda Varma established this temple in the year 1755.

There is a very old jackfruit' tree in the temple premises, which is called 'Ammachiplavu' and is very famous.Neyyattinkara is in Thiruvananthapuram district in the Indian state of Kerala. The name Neyyattinkara in malayalam literally means the shore ( kara) of Neyyar River. Neyyar River flows from Agasthyarkoodam , the highest peak in southern end of the Western Ghats. 1763 - She ruled 1756-1763. In 1763, Haidar All captured hr capital Rednflr anU sucked tbe city. The Rani and her adopted son SSma&khara N : III were taken prisoners ; and the State came to an end. KERALA KINGS In this list are included the known kings of tbe KSraJa country proper (the West Coast Districts below the western ghats) as well as those of the V5nad or Travancore country. This cannot well be avoided in the present state of historical knowledge.

1766 - Historically, thanks to the natural 20km-wide Palakkad Gap in the Western Ghats, this area has been one of the chief entry points into Kerala. The environs are beautiful, but the town itself doesn't warrant a stop, other than to break a journey. Arriving from Tamil Nadu, Palakkad, with its dry, Deccan-like landscape, unlike most of the state, gives a misleading first impression of Kerala. The well-preserved fort, built in 1766 by Haider Ali. 1800 - In India, clove was introduced in 1800 AD by the East India company and is now cultivated in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka . The production of clove in India has not kept pace with its increasing demand and most of the clove requirement in India is met through import from Tanzania, Singapore, Malagasy and Indonesia. However, there is scope for extending the cultivation of this spice along the Western Ghats. Description of the plant 1808 - Delta Study: Once a warehouse, this heritage bungalow built in 1808, houses a high school today.

Kodanad Elephants are an integral part of Indian mythology and culture. In God's Own Country, elephants are often referred to as the sons of the 'Sahya' (the Western Ghats). Once a part of every day life in Kerala, elephants are the most ornamental and auspicious animals here. No festival or celebration is complete without an elephant procession. 1816 - The flowering plant collections range from the year 1816 onwards, and over 2, 00000 plant specimens including Grasses, Sedges, Orchids, and other Flowering plants collected from various parts of India such as Kashmir, Himalayas, Darjeeling, Sikkim, Nepal, Bhutan, Rajasthan, Konkan, Western Ghats, Khandala, Mahableshwar, Poona, Ratnagiri, Savantwadi, Goa, Nasik, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Lucknow and Bombay are housed in this Herbarium. 1820 - The beautiful backwater town on the foothills of the Western Ghats is an important trading center for cash crops like rubber, tea, pepper and cardamaom.

In 1820, Benjamin Bailey, a Christian missionary established the country's first printing press in vernacular (Malayalam) in Kottayam. The town is also referred as the 'Mecca of Publishing Industry', as a number of newspapers, magazines and periodicals in Malayalam and English are published from here. 1823 - From time immemorial, India has been known as the home of cardamom. Until 800 the world's supply came from the evergreen monsoon forests of the Western Ghats in South India and Sri Lanka. The erstwhile Travancore government in AD 1823 actively took up cultivation of cardamom in India. The area under cardamom cultivation during 1997-1998 was 72444 ha distributed in three southern states. Kerala (40.867 ha), Kar- nataka (25.686 ha), and Tamil Nadu (5.891 ha 1847 - Botanist Robert Wight is the first historically explorer of Silent Valley Park in 1847.

Silent Valley is part of The Western Ghats World Heritage Site, Nilgiri Sub-Cluster and is under consideration by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Silent Valley National Park is listed as one of the major tourist attraction in India and the first among the major places to visit in Kerala. 1854 - Nilgiri means “Blue Mountain” ; part of the Western Ghats mountain range in southern India, the Nilgiris are also the most scenic tea region in India—which is saying a lot, considering Darjeeling's stunning mountain scenery and the enchanting tea carpet of Assam. Found in Tamil Nadu, bordering Kerala, the Nilgiris combine beautiful mountains with an abundance of blooming flowers. The British established the first tea plantation here in 1854. May 4, 1862 - Wikipedia: Anamudi is located in the Indian state Kerala. It is the highest peak in the Western Ghats and South India, at an elevation of 2695 metres, and a topographic prominence of 2479 metres. It literally means "Elephant forehead".

The first recorded ascent of the Anamudi was by General Douglas Hamilton of the Madras Army on May 4, 1862, but it is likely that there had been earlier ascents by local people 1886 - The Victoria College, started in 1886, marks the beginning of higher education in Malabar. The Jain temple near Chunnamputhara speaks of the magnanimity of the king of Palakkad who provided shelter to the people who escaped the religious persecutions. Palakkad lies near the Palghat Gap, a pass or natural depression through the Western Ghatsranges that run parallel to the west coast of India, and connects Kerala to the plains of the state of Tamil Nadu to the east. 1895 - Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve is set high in the ranges of the Western Ghatsin Kerala. The park has a picturesque lake at the heart of the sanctuary. Formed with the building of a dam in 1895, this reservoir meanders around the contours of the wooded hills, providing a perennial source of water for the local wildlife. You may even get a glimpse of the tiger during this season.

Periyar is also home to leopard, wild dog, barking deer, mouse deer, monitor lizards. 1895 - Sulle catene montuose dei Western Ghats, nella terra dei dei, il Kerala, sorge il Parco Nazionale di Periyar e la Riserva naturale della Tigre. Il Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary si trova presso un vasto e pittoresco lago situato nel cuore della riserva. Questo bacino idrografico, formatosi dopo la costruzione di una diga nel 1895, contornato da colline boscose, costituisce una risorsa permanente di acqua, preziosa per l'intera fauna selvatica della zona. Subpage Listing Western ghats - Biodiversity hotspot :: Amoghavarsha photography home | photographs | stories | video | journal | workshops | about Along the south-western coast of India lies the western ghats mountain range. These ranges are known for their rich bio-diveristy and natural heritage. The mountains intercept the rain-bearing westerly monsoon winds, and are consequently an area of high rainfall, hence known also as monsoon mountains.

The rain gives western ghats its flavor and richness. Some areas recieve as much as 350 inches of rain every year, making it one of the wettest places on earth. Agumbe area in karnataka recieves the highest rainfall in India. This also makes most part of the western ghats evergreen. The evergreen forests are abundant in flora and fauna. Click to listen to the sound of the evergreen forests during monsoon rains. The western ghats are home to more than 5000 species of plants and about 35% of these are endemic to this area. Some plants have been discovered very recently in the last decade. The Semecarpus Kathalekanensis is among them. The ghats are also home to special kind of fresh water swamps known as Myristica swamps . An indicator of these swamps is an endemic palm found along the stream. One of the interesting adaptation of plants found here are the aerial roots called stilt roots which spring out of the main trunk providing support to swamp trees in soft soil. A huge variety of orchids and endemic flowers are also found here.

One of the very special flowers of the western ghats are impatiens, they are usually found close to small streams on the hill slopes. A large number of herbivores also make the ghats their home due to this abundant vegetation. And the Nilgiri Tahr (Nilgiritragus hylocrius) is one of them. It is a high altitude dweller and is found mostly in grasslands above 1,200 meters During the rutting season, the Tahr males get into fights with other males to win the female. Their strong horns are their primary weapons in the battle. The Tahrs are not the only mammals to get into fights. Fights are also common among the endangered Lion-tailed Macaque (Macaca silenus) which live in troupes. These primates now exist in very small numbers due to human influence and have become a rare sight. Though their main diet is fruits, they are omnivorous and forage for seeds, fresh leaves, flowers and insects. They are mostly arboreal, and seldom get down from the trees. And are often mistook for the more commom Nilgiri langur as that too is dark in color.

While some species are gray in color like the tahr and others dark like the macaques. There are other species which are bright in color and the Rufous colored Malabar Giant Squirrel (Ratufa indica) is among them. They too are arboreal and their huge bushy tail which can grow upto 2ft helps them balance on the precarious tree tops. Though the thick forests of western ghats is well suited for canopy dwellers, there are some predators who have used this to their advantage. And one such predator, a master of stealth is the Leopard. While most animals are shy and are hidden in the thick forests, the Malabar whistling thrush (Myophonus horsfieldii) is probably the most elusive. Most often one can only hear their calls in the morning, click to hear the morning raga of the whistling trush. While the thrushes are found mostly on the ground and much below the canopy, some birds are found mostly on the canopy over looking the evergreen forests. One flagship bird of the western-ghats, the Malabar pied hornbill (Anthracoceros coronatus) is found motly on treetops of fruiting trees.

Though figs form a major part of their diet, they do sometimes feed on fish and small mammals. Some birds are also found in the coffee plantations. One such bird, the Scarlet Minivet (Pericrocotus flammeus) feeds on the small insects that come to feed on the coffee fruit. Birds are not the only habitants of plants and bushes in the rainforest. A group of frogs known as bush frogs are mostly found on sitting on leaves and calling for their mates. 9 bush frogs have been discovered in the year 2011 alone. The Blue-eyed bush frog (Philautus leutolus) is one of the prettiest bush frogs which has been recently discovered in the western ghats. Click to hear the call of the Blue-eyed bushfrog (Frog call source : Dr. Gururaja K.V.) Another bush frog, the Ponmudi bush frog (Philautus ponmudi) gets its name from a small hill station in Kerala were it was first recorded There are frogs found higher up in the tree too. These tree frogs are slightly bigger in size and have webbed feet that allow them to leap from branch to branch.

One such tree frog is the Malabar Gliding frog (Racophorous Malabaricus). Most frogs though are found on the ground close to water bodies. The Bronzed frog (Hylarana temporalis) is mostly found on edges of rocky streams. They sit exposed on flat rocks and stones and can leap, often to a considerable distance. Frogs fall under the classification of amphibians, having the ability to live in and out of water. While the tree frogs and bush frogs live close to water, there are some frogs which live in water! One such species is the Alice's wrinkled frog (Nictibatrachus aliciae). Like most frogs they are nocturnal and hence their name Nictibatrachus meaning "Night frog". Where there are frogs, there are bound to be snakes. And one common yet beautiful non-venomous snake of the western ghats is the Green Vine Snake (Ahaetulla nasuta) The venomous Malabar pit viper (Trimeresurus malabaricus) is another beautiful snake from the western ghats which uses its heat sensing pits to track and hunt prey.

But the flagship species of the western ghats is the King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) . Growing upto 15ft and weighing upto 10kgs. It's the world's largest venomous snake. The snake derives its scientific name from the fact that it feeds only on snakes. They've recently be documented to be cannibalistic. The western ghats are also home to a wide range fauna. Caterpillars, Butterflies, Lizards and Spiders are just some of them. The Forest Calotes is another lovely lizard from this area. The ghats have also been home to several indigenous tribes for centuries. Venkatappa is a Goudlu tribal. The Goudlu tribe is one of the last traces of pure Malnad culture in the Indian western ghats, farming is their primary occupation. The tribe is no longer protected from urbanization, the plastic sheet he wears has replaced the traditional rain blanket "KAMBLI". All is not lost, "MUTTALE" - the Arecanut leaf headgear still remains. As urbanization creeps into these beautiful habitats, the forest suffers.

As forests make way to towns and tea plantations, the western ghats face a bleak future As more roads cut across the forests, the animals have to make way for the traffic at the cost of their lives These ghats that are home to several species of animals are also life giving. They refresh the atmosphere with the oxygen they produce. The ghats also account for most rivers that feed our towns and cities. The loss of these forests have far reaching consequences than we can comprehend now.

Question: In which country is the mountain range, the Western Ghats?
Answer: INDIA