The Eastern Ghats: An Overview

The Eastern Ghats are a disjointed series of mountains that run the length of India's eastern coast, from Tamil Nadu in the south to Odisha in the north. The mountain range is made up of solitary hills and highlands, with some of its peaks rising above 1,500 meters. The Eastern Ghats are renowned for their biodiversity and are home to a diverse range of flora and fauna.

Geological History

As a result of volcanic activity and crustal uplift, the Eastern Ghats were created roughly 1.2 billion years ago during the Proterozoic era. Over millions of years, the area saw a variety of geological occurrences, such as tectonic activity, sedimentation, erosion, and volcanic eruptions. The granites, gneisses, schists, and other metamorphic rocks found in the Eastern Ghats were created as a result of the intense pressure and heat that existed at the time of their formation.

As a result of geological processes, the area also features a number of mineral reserves, including limestone, iron ore, and bauxite. The extensive and intricate geological history of the Indian subcontinent is demonstrated by the Eastern Ghats.

Structure

A collection of hills, plateaus, and ridges make up the Eastern Ghats. With various river basins and plains interspersed throughout the range, the mountains are primarily made up of the rocks granite, gneiss, and charnockite. With peaks rising up to 1,680 meters, the hills are typically steep and rocky. The ridges are long, slender elevations that run along to the main mountain range, while the plateaus are narrow, flat elevations that are generally higher in elevation.

Geographical Distribution

The Eastern Ghats extends for around 1,750 kilometres parallel to India's east coast. Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala are among the states that are covered by the mountain range. While the Central Eastern Ghats cover sections of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, the Northern Eastern Ghats cover portions of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. The Palakkad Gap, which divides the Western Ghats from the Eastern Ghats, and other regions of Tamil Nadu and Kerala are covered by the Southern Eastern Ghats. The Velikonda Range, the Anaimalai Hills, the Shevaroy Hills, among others, the Nallamala Hills, and other hills and plateaus make up the Eastern Ghats.

Division of the Eastern Ghats

The Northern Eastern Ghats, the Central Eastern Ghats, the Southern Eastern Ghats, and the Eastern Ghats Coastal Plains are the four main divisions of the Eastern Ghats.

• The Northern Eastern Ghats − This region, which stretches from Odisha to Andhra Pradesh, is distinguished by its gentle slopes and valleys. It is well-known for its major rivers such the Mahanadi, Brahmani, and Godavari, as well as its holy places like the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple.

• Central Eastern Ghats − The Simlipal National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located in the Central Eastern Ghats, also known as the Mahendra Giri Hills, which are a section of the Central Eastern Ghats and are situated in Odisha. It is renowned for having abundant mineral reserves.

• Southern Eastern Ghats − This region, which stretches from Tamil Nadu to Andhra Pradesh, is home to lofty peaks like the Javadi and Palani Hills. Along with its great biodiversity, it is widely renowned for its plantations of tea and coffee. This area also includes the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

• Eastern Ghats Coastal Plains − The Eastern Ghats Coastal Plains are a slender area of land that parallels the Bay of Bengal on India's eastern coast. It has a reputation for having excellent soils, is a significant agricultural area, and is home to a number of significant ports, including Chennai and Visakhapatnam. The Eastern Ghats' highest point is Jindhagada Peak.

Resources

• Minerals − A variety of mineral resources, such as iron ore, manganese, bauxite, limestone, and chromite, are present in the Western Ghats. The industrial and economic growth of India is greatly influenced by these minerals.

• Rivers − The Krishna, Godavari, Kaveri, and Tungabhadra are just a few of the significant rivers that have their beginnings in the Western Ghats. These rivers supply water for hydropower production, irrigation, and the maintenance of a variety of habitats.

• Flora − With a staggering variety of plant species, the Western Ghats are a hotspot for biodiversity. There are thick forests, evergreen rainforests, and endangered plant species there, including the well-known Nilgiri tahr. Spices, important timber species, and a wide variety of medicinal plants are all found in abundance in this area.

• Fauna − The Western Ghats are well-known for their diverse animal life. The Bengal tiger, Indian elephant, lion-tailed macaque, Malabar giant squirrel, and Indian gaur are just a few of the endemic and threatened species that may be found there. A haven for birdwatchers, the Ghats are also home to a diversity of bird species.

• Mountains − A number of mountain ranges, including the Mahendra Giri Hills, Javadi Hills, Velikonda Range, Nallamala Hills, and Velikonda Range, are part of the Eastern Ghats. These mountain ranges are a source of minerals like bauxite, iron ore, and limestone as well as various rare species of flora and fauna.

Conservation

The Eastern Ghats are protected through national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and conservation reserves because of their ecological importance. The rich flora and fauna found in this area are being conserved, as well as the vulnerable ecosystems. Here's a table of conservation parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and conservation reserves in the Eastern Ghats with their location and important species protected in these areas −

Name	Location	Important Species Protected
Simlipal National Park	Odisha	Bengal tiger, Asian elephant
Satkosia Tiger Reserve	Odisha	Bengal tiger, gharial crocodile
Bhitarkanika National Park	Odisha	Saltwater crocodile, Olive Ridley
Gundlabrahmeswaram Wildlife Sanctuary	Andhra Pradesh	Indian giant squirrel, pangolin
Papikonda Sanctuary Wildlife	Andhra Pradesh	Bengal tiger, Indian gaur
Sri Venkateswara National Park	Andhra Pradesh	Indian leopard, sambar deer
Seshachalam Reserve Biosphere	Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu	Slender loris, Indian giant squirrel
Kambalakonda Sanctuary Wildlife	Andhra Pradesh	Indian leopard, sambar deer
Guindy National Park	Tamil Nadu	Blackbuck, Indian civet
Mudumalai National Park (partially)	Tamil Nadu	Bengal tiger, Indian elephant

Plateaus of Eastern Ghats

A collection of hills, plateaus, and ridges that run along India's eastern coast make up the topography of the Eastern Ghats. A varied and rough landscape is produced by the hills, plateaus, deep valleys, and river systems.

In contrast to the nearby hills and valleys, the plateaus of the eastern Ghats are distinguished by their greater heights and flatter topography. They frequently contain high mineral content and sustain a variety of habitats, including marshes, grasslands, and forests. Numerous villages rely on agriculture in the plateaus, which is crucial for agriculture. Some of the significant plateaus in the Eastern Ghats are listed below:

Plateau of Eastern Ghats

Major plateaus of Eastern Ghats are −

• Koraput Plateau

• Kandhamal Plateau

• Kalahandi Plateau

• Rayagada Plateau

• Palamau Plateau

• Chotanagpur Plateau

Conclusion

Surprisingly, the Eastern Ghats are one of the mountain ranges, which is discontinuous mountain range. It runs parallel to the eastern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Stretching across multiple states, including Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu, the Eastern Ghats cover a vast geographic area. They extend from the northern Odisha-Srikakulam district border to the southern Nilgiri Hills in Tamil Nadu and include various hills, plateaus, and valleys.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the length of the Eastern Ghats Mountain range?

The total length of eastern ghats is (approximately) 1,750 km

Which states do the Eastern Ghats cover?

The major states that eastern ghats cover are - Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala.

What kind of minerals are found in the Eastern Ghats?

Major minerals that found in eastern ghats are - Bauxite, iron ore, and limestone.

What is the highest peak in the Eastern Ghats?

The range doesn't have any individual peak that stands out.

Which endangered species are found in the Eastern Ghats?

Major endangered species that found in the eastern ghats are - Indian elephant, Bengal tiger, and Nilgiri langu.