The Western Ghats: An Overview

The Western Ghats, sometimes referred to as the Sahyadri Mountains, are a mountain range that runs parallel to India's west coast. The range is called Sahya Parvatham in Kerala. It is one of the eight "hottest hotspots" in the world for biodiversity and is home to a large number of indigenous plant and animal species. The range is a crucial watershed for the area, feeding water to significant rivers, and is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Indians attach great cultural and spiritual value to the Western Ghats.

Geological History

Approximately 1500 million years ago, the Western Ghats were a part of the Gondwanan supercontinent. The range was created by the Indian Plate colliding with the Eurasian Plate, which started about 50 million years ago. The Deccan Traps, a sizable volcanic region that spans most of western and central India, are the product of this process.

Along with the Malabar Coast and the Karnataka Plateau, the Western Ghats are also home to a number of significant geological formations. Over time, there has been a lot of geological activity in the area, including tectonic movements, erosion, and sedimentation, which have helped to create the landscape we see today.

Structure

The Western Ghats are a collection of mountain ranges in India that run parallel to the country's western coast and cover a distance of around 1,600 km from the Tapi River in Gujarat to Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu. With elevations ranging from about 1000 meters to more than 2500 meters above sea level, the mountain range is made up of several ridges and summits.

The Deccan Plateau, one of India's greatest plateaus, is one of the several plateaus that can be found in the Western Ghats. The hard laterite and basaltic rocks in the northern and central regions of the Western Ghats are split into two main types of rock formations, and the relatively softer sedimentary rocks are found in the southern region.

Geographical Division

Based on its geographic position, topography, and biological importance, the Western Ghats are separated into three primary divisions.

• Northern Western Ghats − From Gujarat's Tapi River to Goa, the Northern Western Ghats are located. High peaks, rocky terrain, and steep slopes define this area. Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve, and Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary are just a few of the protected sites in the area. The Northern Western Ghats are particularly well-known for their thick forests, which serve as a refuge for a number of animal and plant species that are in danger of extinction.

• Central Western Ghats − The Central Western Ghats are a mountain range that extend from Goa to Kerala's Palakkad Gap. Rugged mountains, wide valleys, and plateaus are only a few of this region's varied topography features. The Western Ghats Biosphere Reserve, Anshi National Park, and Bandipur National Park are only a few of the region's significant protected areas. The Nilgiri tahr, lion-tailed macaque, and Malabar grey hornbill are just a few of the endangered species that call the Central Western Ghats home.

• Southern Western Ghats − The Southern Western Ghats extend from Kanyakumari to the Palakkad Gap. Rounded hills and a somewhat lower elevation are features of this area. The region is home to well-known vacation spots like Munnar and Thekkady, which draw tourists with its scenic splendour, waterfalls, and charming hill towns. A variety of amphibian and reptile species, as well as the Nilgiri langur and Nilgiri marten, can be found in the woods of the Southern Western Ghats.

The Western Ghats' varied topography, which includes high peaks, deep valleys, plateaus, and distinctive ecosystems, makes it an important hotspot for biodiversity on a global scale.

Resources

The Western Ghats are an abundance of natural resources, including minerals, rivers, flora, and fauna. Let's examine each of these resources in more detail −

• Minerals − The Western Ghats are rich in minerals such chromite, bauxite, iron, and manganese. These minerals are mostly found in the Western Ghats' mountainous terrain, and their exploitation has sparked worries about habitat loss and environmental deterioration.

• Rivers − The Western Ghats are the source of a number of significant rivers, including the Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri, and Tungabhadra. For industrial use, hydropower production, and agriculture, these rivers produce water. However, unsustainable water use has resulted in groundwater depletion and the drying up of several rivers.

• Flora − numerous distinctive and varied plant species, including numerous endemic species found nowhere else in the world, can be found in the Western Ghats. Evergreen forests, which are found in the area and are a source of important timber and non-timber forest products like fruits, spices, and medicinal plants, are a feature of the area.

• Fauna − The Western Ghats are home to various endemic species of animals, including the lion-tailed macaque, Nilgiri tahr, and Nilgiri langur. They are one of the eight "hottest hotspots" of biodiversity in the world.

However, the populations of many species have decreased as a result of habitat loss and fragmentation.

Important Passes

There are several significant passes in the Western Ghats that connect various areas and give access to the highlands. The following are a few notable passes in the Western Ghats −

• Palakkad Gap − The Malabar Coast and the Coimbatore plains are connected via a low-lying pass known as Palakkad Gap. The Palakkad- Pollachi railway line travels across the Palakkad Gap, which is a significant transportation route.

• Thalghat − Mumbai and Nashik are connected by this mountain pass in Maharashtra. The 700-meter-high pass serves as a crucial transit route for the area.

• Tamhini − Mumbai and Pune are connected by this mountain pass in Maharashtra's Sahyadri Range. The pass is popular with travellers due to its stunning scenery

• Bhor Ghat − Mumbai and Pune are connected by this mountain pass in Maharashtra. The pass is a crucial transit route for the area and has an elevation of 735 meters.

• Agumbe Ghat − Udupi and Shimoga are connected by a mountain pass called Agumbe Ghat, which is situated in Karnataka. The pass enjoys substantial annual rainfall and is renowned for its picturesque beauty.

These passes serve as vital transportation routes in the Western Ghats, connecting distant regions to other areas of the nation. Some of these passes are popular tourist destinations because of their breath-taking scenery and abundance of natural beauty.

Mountains

The range is home to a number of notable mountain ranges, each with unique characteristics and ecological importance. The Western Ghats' mountains are Block Mountains, which were created when a section of land was warped downward into the Arabian Sea. The faulted border of the Deccan Plateau makes up the Western Ghats mountains, which are not actually mountains. Some of the significant mountain ranges in the Western Ghats are listed below −

Mountain Range	Height (meters)	Location
Anaimalai Hills	2,695	Tamil Nadu and Kerala
Nilgiri Hills	2,637	Tamil Nadu, Kerala,Karnataka
Sahyadri Range	2,637	Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu,Kerala
Cardamom Hills	2,695	Kerala and Tamil Nadu
Biligiriranga Hills	1,860	Karnataka

Conclusion

The Western Ghats are a distinctive and varied mountain range with an extensive natural resource base, a long geological history, and significant ecological value. For the benefit of the local people and the national economy, the region's woods, rivers, and wildlife must be preserved and protected for future generations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the significance of the Western Ghats?

The Western Ghats are well renowned for their diverse ecosystems, cultural significance, and abundant biodiversity. They also serve as the habitat for a number of rare and endangered plant and animal species.

Which states are covered by the Western Ghats?

Six Indian states border the Western Ghats − Gujarat, Goa, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Karnataka.

What valuable resources may be discovered in the Western Ghats?

Minerals, rivers, and a wide variety of plant and animal life can all be found in the Western Ghats.

What are some important mountain ranges in the Western Ghats?

The Anaimalai Hills, Nilgiri Hills, Sahyadri Range, Cardamom Hills, and Biligiriranga Hills are a few of the significant mountain ranges in the Western Ghats.

What significance does protect the Western Ghats have?

To safeguard the region's distinctive biodiversity, guarantee the availability of water supplies, and maintain the cultural heritage of the local populations, the Western Ghats must be conserved.