Ghats
Western and eastern ghats are also important ecosystems of India
Western ghats
- Western ghats also known as Sahyadri extend from Tapti River in north to Kanyakumari in south covering nearly 1,40,000 sq km parallel to the west coast of peninsular India. They pass through the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnatka, Tamilnadu and Kerala. These ghats are one of the richest biological resources and form distinct ecological and biogeographical region of India. Western ghats are one of 25 hot spots of the world. Hot spots are the regions which show maximum biodiversity, richness of species and endemic forms. These ecosystems are the threatened due to human interference. June- September are rainy months. The rainfall may vary from 100 to 500 cm. Soil is mainly red or black in most of the regions and rich in nutrients. 3500 species of flowering plants have been recorded from western ghats of which nearly1500 are endemic species.
- Nearly 209 species of fresh water fishes occur in these ghats of which 120 are endemic. Similarly, out of 219 species of amphibians found here 106 are endemic.
Eastern ghats
- Eastern ghats extend in north south-west strike in Indian peninsula covering an area of about 75000 sq. km They are spread through the states of Orissa, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. The eastern ghats do not form a continuous range because the great rivers Mahanadi, Godavari and Krishna cut across them. They are an assemblage of discontinuous ranges of hills, plateaus and basins. The climate of these ghats may be semiarid to semi humid with a rainfall ranging from 60 to 160 cm. The vegetation ranges from evergreen trees to that of dry savannas. The eastern ghats are affected by the human activity. Conservation of biodiversity here is a big issue today. Special measures are taken to protect this floristic zone. United Nations Conference on Environment held in Rio de Janerio in 1992 discussed the issue of conservation of this region.
