The Western Ghats is an extraordinary range of mountains that run parallel to India’s western coast. Older than the Himalayas, they traverse the States of Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Goa, Maharashtra and Gujarat. They stretch 1600 km from the northern Vindhya-Satpura ranges to the country’s southern tip, interrupted only by the 30 km Palghat Gap.

 

Although considered one of the world’s most treasured biodiversity ‘hotspots’, we often overlook the value of Western Ghats in our country. For being under 6% of India’s land area, they hold about a quarter of all plant, fish, reptile, bird and mammal species found in the country (1). 

 

Distinctive ecosystems thrive: from swamps and seasonal wildflower meadows, to wet evergreen forests and mountainous grasslands, and the singular Shola ecosystem which intersperses the latter. This exceptional level of biological diversity and ‘endemism’ - wherein species are exclusive to a particular region - is a significant characteristic. It supports the growth of numerous medicinal plants and wild relatives of grains, fruit and spices, which make for key genetic resources.

 

It is home to several endemic species of charismatic fauna, including the single largest population of globally threatened 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 region.

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