India's Western Ghats

The Western Ghats mountain range stretches 1,600 kilometers along India's western coast, representing one of the world's eight 'hottest hotspots' of biological diversity. These mountains, older than the Himalayas, create a barrier capturing monsoon rains and supporting diverse ecosystems from tropical forests to montane grasslands. UNESCO recognizes 39 properties within the Ghats as World Heritage Sites. The Ghats harbor over 7,400 plant species (5,800 endemic), 139 mammal species (16 endemic), 508 bird species (16 endemic), and 179 amphibian species (88% endemic). Iconic species include tigers, Asian elephants, lion-tailed macaques, and Nilgiri tahr. The mountains serve as watersheds for rivers supporting 245 million people. Conservation faces pressure from development, agriculture, and population density. Multiple protected areas preserve key habitats while community-based conservation protects sacred groves. Coffee and tea estates using shade-grown methods support biodiversity. Despite challenges, the Ghats demonstrate landscape-level conservation in densely populated regions through diverse approaches.

Water Features

Rivers, waterfalls, reservoirs

Ecosystem

This destination features a mixed ecosystem ecosystem.