Western Ghats Ecosystem

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The Western Ghats hill ranges stretch to about 1600 km, starting from the mouth of river Tapti in Dhule district of Maharashtra and ending at Kanyakumari, the southernmost tip of India in Tamil Nadu. The region covers an area of 1,60,000 sq km, supporting a population of more than 50 million people. Western Ghats are an important source of water, energy and biological diversity. The region is also rich in iron, manganese, and bauxite ores. About 30 per cent area is covered with forest and maintenance of ecological balance of these hill ranges is essential for maintaining the life-support systems of the peninsular India. The Western Ghats are among the ecologically richest regions of India, next only to the Himalaya in the diversity of its biological species. Its climate and rainfall patterns have produced a variety of ecological niches with unique plant and animal species. Of the 15000 plant species recorded so far, 4000 are endemic to the region. ‘Red data’ plants of the region have 586 species. Seventy five per cent of animal species found are reptiles and amphibians. The number of animals in the endangered list are 10 mammals.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR D N Tewari

Dr. Dina Nath Tewari, M.Sc (Chemstry). PhD, D.Sc is a legendary figure of the country. At present he is holding the Chair of Vice Chairman, State Planning Board, Chhattisgarh. During his professional career he has contributed to formulation of various International and National policies on forestry, eco system development and environment. He has served Government of India in different capacities such as Member of Planning Commission, Director General, Indian Council of Forestry, Research and Education, Chairman, National Commission on Integrated Water Resource Development, Chairman, Indian Space Committee, Chairman, Atomic Energy Committee. As a leading academician of the country, he has not only authored 103 books rural development, eco-system and development, forestry, environment but also worked as Vice Chancellor, Guru Ghasidas University, Chhatisgarh. He has been awarded with most prestigious Commonwealth Forestry Prize. He is a distinguished Advisor to International agencies like UNDP, WHO and IFAD.