Western Ghats::Beauty of India

The Western Ghats mountain range, which is older than the Himalayas, addresses geomorphic highlights important to unique biophysical and biological cycles. The site's high montane backwoods biological systems have an impact on the atmospheric characteristics of an Indian storm. The location exhibits one of the most magnificent examples of the storm framework in the world, directing the heat and humidity of the region. It is regarded as one of the eight "most blazing focal areas" of organic variation in the world and has an unusually high level of endemism and natural variety. The site's timberlands contain the best examples of non-central tropical evergreen backwoods everywhere and are home to some 325 globally endangered species of plants, animals, birds, and aquatic organisms.The Western Ghats' incredibly high level of biological variety and endemism is a notable feature. Along with Sri Lanka, this mountain range is regarded as one of the eight "hottest hotspots" of biological diversity in the world. Some of the nicest non-equatorial tropical evergreen forest specimens in the world can be found in the forests of the Western Ghats. The Western Ghats are home to at least 325 species that are included on the IUCN Red Data List as threatened. The Western Ghats are home to 229 plant species, 31 animal species, 15 bird species, 43 amphibian species, 5 reptile species, and 1 fish species, all of which are internationally threatened. 129 species in the Western Ghats are classed as Vulnerable, 145 as Endangered, and 325 as Globally Threatened.

CLIMATE:

Climate Elevation and distance from the equator affect the climate along the Western Ghats. Elevations above 1,500 m in the north and higher in the south are more temperate; the coast and lower foothills are humid and tropical. One of the best examples of a tropical monsoon system in the world is the high mountain barrier that affects the biophysical and ecological processes throughout most of south India. Between June and September, when 65% to 80% of the rainfall occurs, the west side of the mountains is sheltered from the predominant southwesterly monsoon winds. The majority of the rest occurs between October and November, during the northeast monsoon. Additionally, the trees catch condensation that forms from rising moist sea air and release a lot of it through transpiration.

Due to the loss of precipitation in the Asian land region, the climate turns dry throughout the winter months. As the majority of the western ghat is made up of mountains with a high altitude, the dry weather lowers the temperature there.The western Ghats (mountains) rise higher as the summer (wet) monsoons approach India's west coast, causing the air to chill. Because it can't store as much moisture, the chilly air lets it out as rain. The term for this is OROGRAPHIC RAINFALL.Additionally, it has been shown that the South Western Ghats' coldest and wettest seasons are related.

The uninterrupted Western Ghats chain serves as a deterrent to the moisture-laden clouds during the monsoon season, which lasts from June to September. The rain-bearing clouds that are travelling slowly to the east are compelled to rise, and as a result, most of their rain falls on the windward side. In this region, annual precipitation ranges from 3,000 to 4,000 mm (120 to 160 in), with isolated highs of 9,000 mm (350 in). The eastern Western Ghats, which are in the rain shadow, receive much less precipitation, with an average of only 1,000 mm (40 in), bringing the total annual precipitation to 2,500 mm (150 in).

FLORA AND FAUNA:

The following is an outline by group of the flora and fauna found at the locations, going north to south: Group Agasthyamalai: The largest location on the property is the Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve. From 50 metres to 1,866 metres high, it features high, rounded mountains, plateaus, and hilly terrain. In the south, there are also smaller hills and three significant reservoirs. All of the property's locations experience a monsoonal climate, with at least 50% of the 2,000–3,000 mm of annual precipitation falling during the southwest monsoon from June to September and the majority of the remaining precipitation falling during the northeast monsoon from October to January, with a dry period from February to May. Averaging 1,200mm, the east slopes of the property are drier. The annual average temperature ranges from 16°C to 34°C.Twelve different plant species are found in the Tiger Hold, which is surrounded by a huge tract of southern wet tropical rainforest. Soggy deciduous and thistle forests can be found on the drier eastern slopes. With precipitation up to 5,000 mm, 951 vascular plant species, 309 of which are native to the Ghats, and 100 endangered species, Shendurney Untamed Life Safe-Haven is less rocky. There are 1106 plant species in the southernmost, sloping regions. Eugenia floccosa (EN), E. discifera (EN), Hopea utilis (EN), Bentinckia conddapanna (VU), the deciduous Dalbergia latifolia (VU), and 125 orchid species are among the few ruined trees in Neyyar Untamed life Safe-haven. The southernmost locations have few organically rich Myristica freshwater marshes with swamp trees contaminated by sewage, including Vateria indica (CR) and Syzygium travancoricum (CR).

CULTURE:

The indigenous culture of the mountains is that of the Adivasi indigenous tribal people whose subsistence way of life is under threat. There remain a few ancient dolmens and caves with cave paintings and megalithic burial sites in Chinnar. There are seven well visited temples in Srivilliputtur Sanctuary, others in Agasthyamalai, Periyar, Talacauvery and Someshwara, attracting many pilgrims. Kudremukh has Ganga moola, the revered source of three great rivers. 2,000 sacred groves exist among the mountains.These hitherto desolate rural people who relied on the forests and upland shifting agriculture are slowly being uprooted, marginalised, and rendered penniless by outsiders. Infiltration happens in a number of locations where the bordering populations are large. The government and NGOs faced fierce opposition when the Talacauvery sites were proposed in the south Karnataka state of Kodagu (Coorg). A minor ethnic population in the Periyar Tiger Reserve, three tribes in the Amarambalam Forest, 1910 indigenous people in eleven communities in the Mankulam Range Forest, three tribes in the Kalikavu Range Forest, and two in Mukurti National Park are all mentioned in the nomination form. The Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary's administrators give the surrounding tribes a means of subsistence and assist in preserving their traditional heritage. According to the nomination, there are 14,450 persons.

WESTERN GHATS COVERED STATES:

The Western Ghats extend 30 to 50 kilometres inland and parallel to India's western shore. India's Ghats span six states (States of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra and Gujarat). These mountains run over 1,600 kilometres and occupy an area of about 140,000 km2.The Ghats are a series of mountains that extend 30 to 50 kilometres inland and parallel to India's western coast. They cut across the States of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, and Gujarat.In Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Kerala, the Western Ghat is therefore widespread and renowned for its abundant biodiversity.