Western Ghats

The Western Ghats, spanning 1,600 kilometers along India's western coast, are a UNESCO World Heritage Site covering 140,000 square kilometers. Older than the Himalayas, they boast diverse ecosystems and serve as one of the world's biodiversity hotspots. Notable for inducing orographic rainfall and hosting endemic species, they're vital for regional climate patterns and cultural heritage. Despite their ecological significance, the Western Ghats face threats like extractive activities and habitat degradation, sparking controversy over conservation measures. Recent draft notifications propose stringent regulations, yet face opposition from states like Karnataka, citing potential livelihood impacts. It's crucial to balance conservation with sustainable development to safeguard the Western Ghats' unparalleled biodiversity for future generations.

The Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, sprawl along India's western coast, spanning 1,600 kilometers and covering 140,000 square kilometers. These ancient mountains, older than the Himalayas, have shaped the region's geography and climate. With diverse ecosystems including tropical forests and wetlands, they are recognized as one of the world's eight biodiversity hotspots.

The Western Ghats constitute a significant geological landform of peninsular India. These encompass an ecologically-rich strip along the west coast, belonging to the six Western coastal states of Gujarat,Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu.

• Continuous and Unique Topography: The Western Ghats form a continuous mountain range, accessible only through passes.
• Elevation and Orographic Rainfall:
  • These mountains stand taller than the Eastern Ghats, boasting an average elevation of 900–1600 meters compared to the Eastern Ghats' 600 meters.
  • The Western Ghats induce orographic rainfall as they force moisture-laden winds to ascend along their western slopes.
• Height Variation and Local Names:
  • The height of the Western Ghats increases progressively from north to south.
  • Locally known by various names such as Sahyadri in Maharashtra, Nilgiri hills in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, and Anaimalai hills and Cardamom hills in Kerala.
• Confluence with Eastern Ghats: The Western Ghats meet the Eastern Ghats at the Nilgiri hills.
• Prominent Peaks and River Origins:
  • Notable peaks within the Western Ghats include Anamudi (2,695 meters) and Doda Betta (2,637 meters).
  • These mountains serve as the origin for many peninsular rivers like Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri.
• Wildlife: The Western Ghats boasts a diverse array of species such as Indian elephant, Nilgiri langur, lion-tailed macaque, and the endangered Malabar giant squirrel. The region's rivers and freshwater bodies are teeming with life, supporting an abundance of aquatic species including the iconic Mahseer fish.

• Biodiversity Hotspot: The Western Ghats are globally recognized as one of the hotspots of biological diversity, harboring a vast array of unique species.
• Endemic Species: This region boasts a remarkable degree of endemism among amphibian and reptile species, making it a crucial natural heritage site.
• Monsoon Influence: Serving as a barrier to monsoon winds, the Western Ghats play a vital role in shaping the monsoon patterns across India.
• Economic Importance: The Western Ghats are a hub of economically significant domesticated plant species such as pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, mango, and jackfruit.
• Lifeline Rivers: Originating from the Western Ghats, rivers like Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri serve as lifelines for the people of southern India, providing essential water resources for various purposes.
• UNESCO Recognition: Recognizing its immense ecological and cultural significance, parts of the Western Ghats have been included in the UNESCO World Natural Heritage List.

• Extractive Threats: Destruction of the environment due to industrial activities such as mining, oil and gas exploration and extraction, illegal logging of trees, and large-scale constructions.
• Impact on Ecosystem Services: These extractive threats diminish the essential 'ecosystem services' provided by the forests, posing a direct threat to the communities relying on them.
• Loss of Biodiversity and Habitat Degradation: The loss of species, degradation of habitats, and the shrinking forests within the Western Ghats are adversely affecting rainfall patterns.
• Altered River Flow Patterns: Extractive activities also contribute to changes in river flow patterns, potentially escalating water disputes in peninsular India and causing floods

• Himalayas: The Himalayas are susceptible to landslides due to both natural and anthropogenic factors.
  • Naturally, their tectonic activity, caused by the drifting Indian plate, leads to frequent earthquakes and instability. Moreover, their composition of sedimentary rocks and unconsolidated deposits exacerbates this vulnerability.
  • Additionally, the steep slopes of the Himalayas, combined with heavy snowfall in winter and subsequent melting in summer, induce debris flow, which is further intensified by numerous streams and rivers.
  • Anthropogenic activities such as shifting cultivation, dam construction, and tunnel excavation also contribute to the increased risk of landslides in the region.
• Western Ghats:
  • In the Western Ghats, landslides are more prevalent on the steep slopes of the western side, where high rainfall creates ideal conditions for instability. However, the gentler eastern slopes, characterized by lower rainfall and mature river systems, are less prone to landslides.
  • Unlike the Himalayas, the Western Ghats experience fewer earthquakes as they are situated on a more stable part of the Indian plate.

• Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) established the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP) in 2010, chaired by Prof. Madhav Gadgil. The committee recommended the designation of the entire Western Ghats as an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) due to its immense ecological significance, proposing the protection of 64% of the region.
• However, the panel's report, submitted in 2011, faced opposition from the state governments, prompting the MoEFCC to form a High-Level Working Group led by Dr. K. Kasturirangan. This group recommended a more moderate approach, suggesting that only 37% of the total area be brought under ESA, in contrast to the WGEEP's proposal.
• The Kasturirangan panel's recommendations led to protests from farmers, prompting the Kerala Government to appoint a three-member committee chaired by V. Oommen in 2013 to review the Kasturirangan panel's report as well.
• Since then, the MoEFCC has issued draft notifications five times— in 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2022— inviting objections. However, each time the issue is raised, farmers have protested and voiced their opposition, even going so far as to boycott local panchayat elections. At the same time, state governments have opposed both the Madhav Gadgil report and the 'diluted' Kasturirangan report, dismissing them as "unscientific.

The most recent draft notification by MoEFCC regarding Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESA) in the Western Ghats in 2022 includes following provisions:

• Complete ban on mining, quarrying and sand mining in ESAs
• All existing mines shall be closed gradually within 5 years of the final notification
• No new thermal power plants or expansion of existing plants shall be allowed
• Implementation Mechanism
  • Decision Support and Monitoring Centre: DSMC shall be established by the MOEF&CC in collaboration with the state governments of Western Ghats region which shall assess and report on the status of ecology of Western Ghats on regular basis
  • All projects in the ESA which have been given consent to establish or consent to operate shall be monitored at least once a year by the concerned SPCB
  • The concerned State Governments shall prepare ‘State of Health Report’ for their respective jurisdiction on an annual basis.

The states, particularly Karnataka, are opposing the draft notification on Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESA) in the Western Ghats. Karnataka argues that the implementation of the notification will negatively impact the livelihoods of local communities.

The Western Ghats stand as a testament to the incredible biodiversity and natural beauty of India. As custodians of this ecological treasure, it is imperative that we work towards sustainable development practices and conservation efforts to ensure that future generations can continue to marvel at the wonders of the Western Ghats.