Western ghats

Chain of Mountains running parallel to Indian western coast are called Western Ghats,The Western
Ghats, known locally as the Sahyadri Hills. They are older and low in height than Himalyan, but Far more
diversified in terms of flora and fauna. Western Ghats are not only one of the Hotspots but also termed
as World Heritage site by UNESCO. mainly because of the following reasons 1) 6,000 vascular plant
species in the Western Ghats of which more than 50% are endemic. 2) Nilgiri hills, South western hills of
Western Ghats are home to Asiatic Elephants 3) More than 10% of world's population of tiger are found
here,The hotspot is home to about 140 mammal species, 20 are endemic 4)western ghat Hills are also
called Monsoon Mountains cause they intercept rain bearing westerly winds 5) They are spread over the
area of 60000sq.kmand form catchment area of complex river systems which drains 40% of India.
6)More than 500 species of birds out which 35 are endemic and Western Ghats and are considered as
Endemic Bird Areas by BirdLife International. Despite of this they are also facing innumerable threats like
The growth of populations around protected areas and other forests has also led to habitat destruction,
increased fragmentation, wildlife poaching and human-wildlife conflict. Many forest land has been
cleared to support agricultural community. Western ghats has become home to sand mining and
quarrying activites which lead to severe pollution and destruction of natural habitat of various
threatened species. Government has also taken some counter measures like they had setup Gadgil and
Kasturirangan committees and acted on their recommendation of declaring Some areas of W,ghats as
Ecological sensitive areas which prohibit agriculture and commercial activites under designated areas.
Local Goverment Bodies are also involved in decision making process. and various conservation and
research related projects were launched But above measures would only be fruitful if the process
remain transparent with clearly stated objectives for the authorities involved. Destruction in the name
of development should not be encouraged and sustainable development should be given Priority

SHORT QUES:- 1. INTRO OF LUNGS OF THE EARTH:-Forests have been called the lungs
of the earth because growing trees take carbon dioxide out of the air and replace it with oxygen.
This is vital for humans, as we need oxygen in the air to breathe. Trees help the planet because
they absorb some of the greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to pollution and global
warming. LUNGS OF THE EARTH:-The Amazon rainforest -The Amazon rainforest functions
as a giant air machine that absorbs a large amount of carbon dioxide, and produces oxygen. -That
is why it is often called the "Lungs of the Earth." Running through the forest, is the second
longest river in the world and the largest by water flow...the Amazon River. 2. INTRO OF
BIODIVERSTY HOTSPOT:-A biodiversity hotspot is a biogeographic region with significant
levels of biodiversity that is under threat from humans. -The concept was given in 1988 by
Norman Myers. -10Biodiversty hotspots in world. -India shares its territories into three
biodiversity hotspots viz. Eastern Himalaya, Western Ghats and Indo-Burma. 3.Mission
Indradhanush is a health mission of the government of India. -It was launched by Union Health
Minister J. P. Nadda on 25 December 2014. 4.Recently fourteenth finance commission is
constituted under the chairmanship of Y.V. Reddy,former RBI Governor. thanks