The Western Ghats, also known as the Sahyadri Hills, are a mountain range that runs parallel to the western coast of the Indian peninsula. These mountains cover an area of approximately 160,000 square kilometers and extend for about 1,600 kilometers through the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.
Stretching majestically along the western coast of India, the Western Ghats, also known as the Sahyadri Hills, are a geological and ecological treasure. This mountain range, extending over 1,600 kilometers through Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, is a testament to nature’s grandeur and a critical component of India’s natural heritage.
Geological Origins and Structure
Geological evidence reveals that the Western Ghats were formed during the breakup of the supercontinent Gondwana. As India drifted away from the African continent in the late Jurassic and early Cretaceous periods, these mountains rose along India’s western coast.
The Western Ghats can be broadly divided into three sections:
- Northern Section: This area, with elevations ranging from 900 to 1,500 meters (3,000 to 4,900 feet), forms the northern boundary of the range.
- Middle Section: Beginning south of Goa, this section has a lower elevation, generally less than 900 meters (3,000 feet).
- Southern Section: Here, the altitude rises again, with several peaks exceeding 2,000 meters (6,600 feet). The highest peak is Anamudi, at 2,695 meters (8,842 feet).
The Western Ghats have an average elevation of around 1,200 meters (3,900 feet).
Hydrological Significance
The Western Ghats are one of India’s major watersheds, feeding numerous perennial rivers that drain nearly 40% of the country’s land area. Due to the higher elevation of the Deccan Plateau to the west, most rivers flow eastward towards the Bay of Bengal. This creates a stark contrast between the chiselled eastern slopes and the steeper western slopes, which face the Arabian Sea.
The Western Ghats play a crucial role in shaping India’s climate and seasons. They act as a barrier to the rain-bearing monsoon winds coming from the Arabian Sea. As these winds rise over the mountains, they cool and condense, causing heavy rainfall along the western coast. However, by the time the air descends on the leeward side, it becomes dry, creating a rain shadow region with significantly less rainfall in the interior of the Deccan Plateau.
A Biodiversity Hotspot
The Western Ghats are recognized as one of the world’s eight “hottest hotspots” of biological diversity and were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012. The region is home to an astonishing variety of flora and fauna, many of which are endemic. At least 325 globally threatened species occur in the Western Ghats, underscoring its ecological significance.
- Flora: The lush forests of the Western Ghats host a diverse range of plant species, including many medicinal plants, and various types of trees such as teak and rosewood.
- Fauna: The region supports an array of wildlife, including the Asian elephant, Bengal tiger, Indian leopard, and the endemic lion-tailed macaque. Bird species such as the Malabar parakeet and the Nilgiri flycatcher are also found here.
Climate
The Western Ghats significantly impact India’s climate, particularly the monsoon season, which is vital for agriculture and water resources in the country.
- Summer Heat and Monsoon Onset: During the dry summer months of April and May, the land heats up, creating low-pressure areas that draw in moist air from the Arabian Sea. This air, rich in moisture, moves eastward but is blocked by the Western Ghats. As the air ascends the mountains, it cools and condenses, leading to orographic precipitation along the western slopes. This phenomenon marks the onset of the monsoon season in June.
- Rain Shadow Effect: Once the air rises above the Western Ghats, it loses much of its moisture and descends on the leeward side, creating a rain shadow region. This area, located towards the interior of the Deccan Plateau, receives significantly less rainfall.
- Eastern Ghats and Northern Plains: The monsoon winds also round the peninsula and move from the Bay of Bengal towards the east, crossing the Eastern Ghats and delivering the majority of the rainfall to the northern plains of India.
The Konkan Railway: Engineering Marvel Through the Western Ghats
The Konkan Railway is one of India’s most remarkable feats of engineering, traversing the challenging terrain of the Western Ghats. Stretching approximately 738 kilometers along the western coast, from Roha in Maharashtra to Thokur near Mangaluru in Karnataka, this railway line connects the states of Maharashtra, Goa, and Karnataka. Inaugurated in 1998, the Konkan Railway has transformed transportation in the region, providing a vital link between Mumbai and Mangaluru. it passes through western ghats give a glimpse into beauty of the western ghats.
For more Konkan railway check this post: KONKAN RAILWAY – DESCRIBED IN SIMPLE AND EASY WAY.