- What is Western Ghats?
- Administrative Regions
- Western vs Eastern Ghats
- Western Ghat: Forest
- Western Ghats: Rivers
- Western Ghats- Other Names
- Agriculture
- Western Ghats: Biodiversity
Western Ghats has been in news because of Gadgil Committee report controversy.
What is Western Ghats?
- Entire tract of hills from the Tapi to Kanyakumari is called Western Ghats.
- Length =approx. 1500km and Area= approx. 1.6 lakh sq.kms
- About 30% of the area of the Western Ghats Region is under forests.
SIX States | Three (important) Passes |
---|---|
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Administrative Regions
(no need to mugup table, but if you’re from any of these districts, be more prepared for “profile based” interview questions on Western Ghats).
Gujarat | Maharashtra | Karnataka | Kerala | TN |
---|---|---|---|---|
The Dangs | Ahmednagar | Belgaum | Idukki | Coimbatore |
Navsari | Kolhapur | Chamrajnagar | Kannur | Dindugal |
Valsad | Nandurbar | Chikmagalur | Kasaragod | Erode |
Nashik | Dakshin Kannad | Kollam | Kanyakumari | |
Pune | Davanagere | Kottayam | Nilgiris | |
Raigarh | Hassan | Kozhikode | Tirunelveli | |
Ratnagiri | Kodagu | Malappuram | Tiruppur | |
Satara | Mysore | Palakkad | Theni | |
Sindhudurg | Shimoga | Pattanamtitta | Virudunagar | |
Thane | Udupi | Thiruvananthapuram | ||
Uttar Kannada | Thrissur | |||
Wayanad |
+ UT- Diu Daman (Silvassa region)
Western vs Eastern Ghats
Western | Eastern |
---|---|
Almost Continuous hills | Discontinuous hills (thanks to River deltas) |
avg. height : 1500 to 2000 m | lower: 500-700 m |
Highest peak: Anai Mudi (Kerala) | Dewodi Munda (Odisha) (as per Majid Hussein). Update: Highest peak in Eastern ghat is Jindhagada peak Andhra- it is few meters taller than Dewodi Munda. |
Fast flowing rivers, donot form delta | Long broad rivers, form delta. |
Narmada-Tapi | Krishna, Kaveri, Godawai (these origin from Western Ghats though) and Mahanadi |
Flow into Arabian sea. | Into Bay of Bengal. |
- Land between Western and Eastern Ghats=Deccan plateau.
- Nilgiri hills connect Western and Eastern Ghats.
Western Ghat: Forest
Western Slope | Eastern Slope |
Rainfall: 200cm | 70-200cm |
Tropical Evergreen+ Semi Evergreen. | Moist Deciduous (also known as Monsoon forest) |
There is no definite time for trees to shade leaves. Hence the jungle appears green throughout the year. |
Trees shed leaves during dry season. |
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Western Ghats: Rivers
- Three main rivers of South India= Krishna, Godavari and Kaveri. They originate from Western Ghats.
- Traditionally these water resources were used to irrigate the valleys for paddy and arecanut cultivation.
- But later, construction of major river valley projects =irrigation + power generation.
- The steep slopes to the western Ghats = ideal for constructing dams and hydel power generation.
- In recent years construction of resorts and hill stations started around lakes and rivers. E.g. Amba Valley, Lavasa.
- Rivers flowing from the Western Ghats drain almost 40% of land in India.
- Roughly 250 million people depend on these rivers .
- From Western Ghats, rivers originate and flow in both directions: West and East.
Narmada | Tapi | |
---|---|---|
Origin (both MP) | Amarkantak hills | Satpura Ranges. |
Length | Longer | Shorter |
States covered | Guj, MP | Guj, MP, Mah. |
Other names | Reva | Handmaid of Narmada. |
- Coastal plains between Western Ghats and the Arabian sea are very narrow. Hence, these coastal rivers are short (compared to East flowing rivers)
- *NCERT Class 9 Geography: Chapter 3 page 21.
- Every once in a while, UPSC has a nasty habit of asking MCQ question from “delta-type” (Lobate, Arculate etc.) so do mug it up hahaha.
- Mahanadi also drains in Bay of Bengal but it comes from Chattisgarh=not part of Western Ghats.
|
Sahyadri |
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Nilgiri hills |
|
Same as above |
|
Anaimalai + Cardamom hills. |
Geologically, the Western Ghats is subdivided into three parts
- Surat to Goa
- Goa to Nilgiris
- South of Palghat Gap
Plantation crops
Introduced by Europeans in Western Ghats | Native to Western Ghats |
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Forest produce
- Pepper, Cardamom,Honey,Wax, Myrobalan (Small Fruit),
- Bamboos + Reeds = For Basket Weaving
- 1980 onwards = explosion of forest-based industries such as paper, plywood, polyfibres, matchwood, tanning etc.
Western Ghats: Biodiversity
- The Western Ghats is one of the Biodiversity hotspots of the country.
- The wild relatives pepper, cardamom, mango, jackfruit and plantain=found here.
- Thousands of endemic* species of flowering plants, insects, trees, fishes, butterflies, dragonflies, mollusks (land snails) present.
*What is Endemic Species?
- Any species which is exclusively confined to a particular geographical area and it is found nowhere else in the world.
Nasikabactrachus sahyadrensis
- Recently discovered frog species in Western Ghats.
- It proves that Western Ghat was once part of ancient Gondwana region.
Western Ghat: Notable wildlife
- Tiger
- Elephant
- The Indian Bison
- Lion-Tailed Macaque
- Wynad Laughing Thrush (Songbirds)
- Travancore Tortoise
- Uropeltid Snakes
- Several Species Of Legless Amphibians.
In the next article, we’ll see the threats to this rich biodiversity of Western Ghats.
God hits back with vengeanance!!…some were crticizing mrunal’s rc approach…take that he says
Hello Sir,
Aren’t there only 3 biological hotspots in India: Eastern Himalayas, Western Ghats and Sri Lanka and Indo-Burma? Please correct me if I am wrong.
only 2 hotspots
1. Western Ghats/Sri Lanka
2. Indo Burma
Hi Manish from MoEF 3 hotspots
Eastern Himalaya, Western Ghats, Indo Burma.
Those are national hotspots, assigned by the government also mentioned in the year book. while Western Ghats/Indo burma are biodiversity hotspots which are internationally acclaimed
According to IYB there are 4 Biological Hot spots
– W ghats
– Himalayas
– North East (part of Indo Burma)
– Andaman & Nicob Islands (closely related to Sundaland HS of SE Asia )
sir part 3 of western ghat is not open
in this article, it is mentioned that western ghats is one of the four biodiversity hotspots of the country.
is it true?
Dear Mrunal PDF is not generating on IPAD.
It seems the code is not properly working with the mobile theme of website. I’ll test it tomorrow.
In the meantime, here is the temporary solution: in your address bar, add “/print” after the end of URL for example
https://mrunalmanage.wpcomstaging.com/2013/02/enb-western-ghats-physical-geography-biodiversity-overview-part-1-of-4.html
then you add
https://mrunalmanage.wpcomstaging.com/2013/02/enb-western-ghats-physical-geography-biodiversity-overview-part-1-of-4.html/print
sir mahendragiri is highest peak of eastrn ghat???plz correct me if wrng?
sir, second part is not opening please help me
YEA IT IS WORKING IN EXPLORER
Hi Mrunal, in the above article while giving the differences between Eastern ghats and Western ghats u had mentioned river Kaveri(cauvery), krishna and godhavari originates at eastern ghats. But all of them have their origin at western ghats.
sir, its pdf is not open….it only shows print option
use Google chrome browser: click on that yellow Print/PDF button.
A new window comes, then press ctrl+P simultaneously on keyboard
and you’ll get option to take a PDF file.
thanks sir….
dear ravi,
correction..krishna(origin in mahasratra-western ghats), cauveri(karnataka-western ghats) and Gdvari(near nashik in maharastra, thus western ghats)…wot admin mentioned is correct.
Dear sir.. the print and Pdf option is not shown even in Google Chrome..
sir ,i am not able to download pdf of arlicles .. option availabe earlire at top right side of article was good even i crome . can you please help
thanx alot sir great article… can shencottah gap also be considered an important gap of western ghats?
Sir, with all due respect the godavari doesnot flow through Madhya pradesh..
And odisha..it originates in Maharashtra enter Ap and flows further to the southeast..
no it does..my mistake..i didnt notice its tributaries.sorry my mistake.
For all those getting problem in taking pdf
Use this method :
At the bottom of the article there is option of “Print II pdf(Need chrome)”on the right corner,click that then a new page opens and at the top right corner there is option of “Click here to print” ,click that then a new page opens and in the left corner there is option of “destination” then just below it there is a “Change” button ,click that and a new pop up will open of “Select a destination” then change the local destination to “Save as pdf ” then click Save button just below the Total Pages.
Now you can take a pdf with Google chrome .
sir in eastern ghats the highest peak is ARAKU HILLS….. please correct it.
yeah., i do support u dude.
read that Jindhagada Peak @ Aruku Hills is the Highest peak on eastern ghats
nice one thnks
Sir, I am using google crome but still not getting any option for PDF or to print the file.
press ctrl+P
Sir, I was going through the type of deltas. Savindra Singh’s book on physical geography states that Godavari delta is an example of arcuate shaped delta whereas you have mentioned Lobate. I am very confused at the moment. Help me out.
Regards,
Juhi
It is simple:
1. Godaveri Delta can be termed arcuate and lobate delta.
2. I’ll explain Arcuate Delta means arc shaped and Lobate means having rounded projections, Arc is a rounded projection and hence “Lobate is Arcuate”.
3. But there is difference also- an Arc can be concave and convex Lobate form requires a convex Arc. So a delta having a concave Arc shape is not Lobate and hence “All Arcuate is not Lobate”
“(” <-concave ")" <-convex and lobate
PS. look at the parenthesis for doubt on shape. Feel free to correct.
In this case Godaveri has a convex arc shape.
very well explained.thanks manu.
Such explanations helps.Thanks
thanks. lion tailed macaque looks like jethalal’s wife from tarak mehta…
sir in wikipedia it is given that narmada river flows thorugh gujrat also..pls clarify
sorry…maharashtra also(gujrat u have mentioned already)
Check the river map of India . It’s easily visible that Narmada flows through MP and Gujrat only.
It is a bit complex. Narmada river does not flow through Maharashtra. What you see in Wikipedia is the extension of Narmada Basin, there is a difference. Narmada basin does go through Maharashtra[Dhule District] and even Chattisgarh[Durg District]. The data given in Wikipedia is a straight copy paste of the info given in Narmada Control Authority[http://nca.gov.in/nb_geogr.htm]. The site doesn’t seems to be updated as they still regard Durg District as a part of MP and not Chattisgarh. So correct this when making notes. Hope I could help. Feel free to correct any mistakes.
I am from durg and there is no narmada basin in durg.
the highest peak of eastern ghats is MAHENDRAGIRI / ISNT IT?
Thanks sir, This is very helpful article about western ghats
Sir,
After completed my degree…Recently I have changed my name state govt gazette….
I want to apply for staff selection commission CGL posts…..
&Also i want to apply for State bank PO exam ?
In which name to apply as per ssc and bank exam rules and regulations?
Thanking you.
@Vijay,
SSC CGL online application form specifically says that
Note 1: Name as recorded in the Matriculation/Secondary Examination Certificate.
Note 2: Please do not use any prefix such as Mr. or Ms. etc.
Dear Mrunal Sir,
In “Western Ghats:Forest” section, you have given “Mahua” twice in second column.
Hi Mrunal,
I have been following all your articles.Your depth of knowledge and mode of writing is truly absorbing.I am highly impressed by your Western Ghat and Nepal Logjam articles.
It would be extremely helpful of you if you can write an article on the Himalayan and Trans Himalayan Region with all its aspects related to Biodiversity and Economic Development.Many Thanks in advance as I am sure CSAT 2013 will definitely ask questions pertaining to any of of the Biodiversity hotspots(Western Ghats or Eastern Himalayas.
sir according to wikipdia, Godavari river covers only 2 sates ie maha rashtra and Andhra, plz clarify
Wiki Can even be edited by Rahul Awesome Gandhi.