Western Ghats

{{Short description|Mountain range along the western coast of India}} {{good article}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2019}} {{EngvarB|date=June 2019}} {{Infobox mountain | name = Western Ghats | other_name = Sahyadri | image = AnaimudiPeak DSC 4834.jpg | image_size = | image_caption = Anamudi, the highest peak in the Western Ghats | country = India | subdivision1_type = Regions | subdivision1 = Western and Southern India | subdivision2_type = States | subdivision2 = {{hlist|Gujarat|Maharashtra|Goa|Karnataka|Kerala|Tamil Nadu}} | geology = {{hlist|Basalt|Laterite|Limestone}} | age = Cenozoic | biome = {{hlist|Tropical rainforests|Marsh}} <!-- ***Geography ***--> | image_map = Satellite Picture of the Western Ghats & Indian West Coast.png | map_size = 180px | map_caption = Satellite imagery showing the Western Ghats running parallel to the west coast of India | area_km2 = 160000 | length_km = 1600 | length_orientation = N–S | width_km = 100 | width_orientation = E–W | highest = Anamudi | coordinates = {{Coord|10|10|11|N|77|03|40|E|type:mountain|display=inline,title}} | highest_location = Eravikulam National Park | elevation_m = 2695 | embedded = {{Infobox UNESCO World Heritage Site | child = yes | ID = 1342 | Year = 2012 | Criteria = Natural: ix, x | Area = 795,315 ha }} }} The '''Western Ghats''', also known as the '''Sahyadri''', is a mountain range that stretches {{cvt|1,600|km|mi|-2}} along the west coast of India. Covering an area of {{cvt|160,000|km2|mi2}}, it traverses the Indian states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. The range forms an almost continuous chain of mountains along the western edge of the Deccan Plateau, from the Tapti River to Swamithoppe in Kanyakumari district at the southern tip of the Indian peninsula. The Western Ghats meet with the Eastern Ghats at Nilgiris before continuing south.

Geologic evidence indicates that the mountains were formed during the break-up of the supercontinent of Gondwana. The mountains arose along the west coast of India somewhere in the late Jurassic and early Cretaceous periods when India separated from the African continent. The mountains can be roughly divided into three parts: the northern section with an elevation ranging from {{cvt|900-1500|m}}, the middle section starting south of Goa with a lower elevation of less than {{cvt|900|m}}, and the southern section where the altitude rises again. The Western Ghats have several peaks that rise above {{cvt|2,000|m}}, with Anamudi ({{cvt|2695|m|ft}}) being the highest peak. The average elevation is around {{cvt|1200|m}}.

The Western Ghats form one of the major watersheds of India, feeding many perennial river systems that drain almost 40% of the land area of the country. Because of the higher elevation of the Deccan Plateau on the west, most rivers flow eastwards towards the Bay of Bengal, resulting in chiselled eastern slopes and steeper western slopes facing the Arabian Sea. The Western Ghats play an important role in determining the climate and seasons in India. They block the rain-bearing monsoon winds flowing eastward from the Arabian Sea, resulting in rainfall along the western coast. By the time the air rises above the mountains it is dry, forming a rain shadow region with very little rainfall on the leeward side towards the interior of the Deccan Plateau.

The Western Ghats region is a biodiversity hotspot. It contains a large number of different species of flora and fauna, most of which are endemic to this region. At least 325 globally threatened species occur in the Western Ghats. The region was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012.

== Etymology == The name Western Ghats derives from the word ghat and the cardinal direction in which it is located with respect to the Indian mainland. ''Ghat'', a term used in the Indian subcontinent, depending on the context, could either refer to a range of stepped hills such as the Eastern Ghats and Western Ghats, or a series of steps leading down to a body of water or wharf.<ref>{{cite book|author1=Sunithi L. Narayan|author2=Revathy Nagaswami|title=Discover Sublime India|publisher=University of Michigan|year=1992|page=5}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/ghat|title=Ghat definition|access-date=30 January 2019|publisher=Cambridge dictionary|archive-date=30 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190130053346/https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/ghat|url-status=live}}</ref> As per linguist Thomas Burrow, the word ''Ghat'' was derived from similar words used in various Dravidian languages such as ''kattu'' (mountain side, ridge, or dam) in Tamil, ''katte'' (dam), ''gatta'' (mountain), and ''gattu'' (bank or shore) in Kannada, and ''katta'' (dam) and ''gatte'' (shore or embankment) in Telugu.<ref>{{cite book|last=Jaini|first=Padmanabh S.|title=Jainism and Early Buddhism|year=2003|publisher=Jain Publishing Company|page=528|isbn=978-0-8958-1956-7}}</ref> The mountain range is also known as ''Sahyadri'', derived from Sanskrit, meaning benevolent or tolerant mountain.<ref>{{cite book|title=India the Land of Gods|author=Subhash C. Biswas|year=2014|page=76|isbn=978-1-4828-3655-4|publisher=Author Solutions}}</ref>

== Geology == The Western Ghats are the mountainous, faulted, and eroded edge of the Deccan Plateau. Geologic evidence indicates that they were formed during the break-up of the super-continent of Gondwana. After the break-up, the Deccan Plateau was formed by basalt rocks, which caused the western side to rise at an elevation.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Barron|first1=E.J.|last2=Harrison|first2=C.G.A.|last3=Sloan|first3=J.L. II|last4=Hay|first4=W.W.|year=1981|title=Paleogeography, 180 million years ago to the present|journal=Eclogae Geologicae Helvetiae|volume=74|issue=2|pages=443–470}}</ref>

Geophysical evidence indicates that the mountains arose along the west coast of India somewhere in the late Jurassic and early Cretaceous periods when India separated from the African continent.<ref name="Geo">{{cite web|title=Formation of Western Ghats|url=https://wgbis.ces.iisc.ac.in/biodiversity/sahyadri/wgbis_info/form.htm|publisher=Indian Institute of Science|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=21 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521124318/https://wgbis.ces.iisc.ac.in/biodiversity/sahyadri/wgbis_info/form.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Several faults triggered the formation of Western Ghats, then interspersed with valleys and river gorges. Because of the elevation of the Deccan Plateau on the west, most rivers flow from west to east, resulting in chiselled eastern slopes and steeper western slopes facing the sea.<ref name="Geo"/>

== Geography == thumb|The Western Ghats form a continuous chain of mountains. The Western Ghats extend from the Satpura Range south of the Tapti River in the north and runs approximately {{cvt|1600|km}} to the southern tip of the Indian peninsula, where it ends at the Marunthuvazh Malai at Swamithoppe in Kanyakumari district.<ref>{{cite web|title=Western Ghats Biodiversity Hotspot|date=16 June 2021 |url=https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/western-ghats-biodiversity-hotspot.html|publisher=World Atlas|access-date=2 July 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Western Ghats topographic map |url=https://en-gb.topographic-map.com/map-hg5b3/Western-Ghats/ |website=topographic-map.com |access-date=2 July 2024}}</ref> It covers an area of {{cvt|160,000|km2}}, traversing the Indian states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.<ref name="UNESCO">{{cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1342|title=Western Ghats – UNESCO World Heritage Centre|access-date=15 January 2019|archive-date=4 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180704212953/https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1342|url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Topography === thumb|Mountain ranges of India, including the Western Ghats {{Further|List of peaks in the Western Ghats}} The Western Ghats form an almost continuous chain of mountains running parallel to the western coast of India along the Arabian Sea.<ref name="Brit">{{cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Western-Ghats|title=Western Ghats|publisher=Britannica|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=21 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521124242/https://gum.criteo.com/syncframe?origin=criteoPrebidAdapter&topUrl=www.britannica.com&us_privacy=1YNY|url-status=live}}</ref> The average elevation is around {{cvt|1200|m}}.<ref name="APMN">{{cite web|url=http://apmn.icimod.org/mountains/ch2_peninsula.php|title=The Peninsula|access-date=19 March 2007|work=Asia-Pacific Mountain Network|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070812064356/http://apmn.icimod.org/mountains/ch2_peninsula.php|archive-date=12 August 2007}}</ref> There are three gaps in the mountain range: the northernmost Goa Gap, formed 65–80 million years ago (Mya), the oldest and widest Palghat Gap, formed 500 Mya, and the southernmost, narrowest Shencottah Gap.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Ancient Geographical Gaps and Paleo-Climate Shape the Phylogeography of an Endemic Bird in the Sky Islands of Southern India|author1=V. V. Robin|author2=Anindya Sinha|author3=Uma Ramakrishnan|doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0194158|year=2010|journal=PLOS|volume=5 |issue=10 |pages=e13321 |doi-access=free |pmid=20967202 |pmc=2954160 }}</ref> The narrow coastal plain between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea is known as the Western Coastal Plains.<ref>{{cite book|title=Population of India|publisher=Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, United Nations|year=1982|page=2}}</ref>

The mountains can be roughly divided into three parts: the northern section with an elevation ranging from {{cvt|900-1500|m}}, the middle section starting from the south of Goa with a lower elevation of less than {{cvt|900|m}}, and the southern section where the altitude rises again.<ref name="Brit"/> The Western Ghats meet with the Eastern Ghats in the Moyar River valley in the Nilgiris before continuing south.<ref>{{cite report|url=https://cgrindia.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Eastern-Ghats-Environment-Outlook-compressed.pdf|title=Eastern Ghats Environment Outlook|date=March 2024|access-date=1 June 2025|work=CGRI|page=24}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Imperial Gazetteer of India: Provincial Series|volume=17|year=1908|page=144|publisher=Superintendent of Government Print}}</ref> The Western Ghats have many peaks that rise above {{cvt|2,000|m}}, with Anamudi ({{cvt|2695|m|ft}}) being the highest peak.<ref>{{cite news|date=3 April 2017|title=7 major mountain ranges in India: Some of the highest mountains in the world|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/gk-current-affairs/story/seven-major-mountain-ranges-of-india-969214-2017-04-03|access-date=5 September 2020|newspaper=India Today|archive-date=23 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200823114516/https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/gk-current-affairs/story/seven-major-mountain-ranges-of-india-969214-2017-04-03|url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Hydrography === The Western Ghats form one of the major watersheds of India, feeding many perennial rivers. These major river systems drain almost 40% of the land area of the country.<ref name="Hydro">{{cite book|title=Western Ghats - From Ecology To Economics|author1=Shanavas P H|author2=Sumesh A K|author3=Haris P M|year=2016|isbn=978-9-3852-4758-3|publisher=Educreation Publishing|pages=27–29}}</ref> The major river systems originating in the Western Ghats are the Godavari, Kaveri, and Krishna.<ref name="Brit"/><ref>{{cite book|title=The Indian Rivers: Scientific and Socio-economic Aspects|author= Dhruv Sen Singh|year=2017|isbn=978-9-8110-2984-4|publisher=Springer Nature|page=309}}</ref> Most rivers flow eastwards towards the Bay of Bengal owing to the steeper gradient moving from east to west, and many smaller streams drain the region, often carrying a large volume of water during the monsoon months.<ref name="Hydro"/> The streams and rivers give rise to numerous waterfalls in the region.<ref>{{cite book|title=Waterfalls|author=Patricia Corrigan|year=2019|isbn=978-1-4381-8252-0|publisher=Infobase Publishing|page=131}}</ref> The rivers have been dammed for hydroelectric and irrigation purposes, with major reservoirs spread across the region.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rainwaterharvesting.org/resources/statistics/stat233.htm|title=Indian Dams by River and State|publisher=Rain water harvesting|access-date=19 March 2007|archive-date=19 March 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070319061137/http://www.rainwaterharvesting.org/resources/statistics/stat233.htm|url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|first1=R.L.|last1=Samani|first2=A.P.|last2=Ayhad|title=Silting Problems in Hydropower Plants|editor=S. P. Kaushish|editor2=B. S. K. Naidu|publisher=Central Board of Irrigation and Power|location=Bangkok|year=2002|chapter=Siltation of Reservoirs-Koyna Hydroelectric Project-A Case Study|isbn=978-90-5809-238-0}}</ref>

== Climate == thumb|upright=0.7|Annual rainfall

The Western Ghats play an important role in determining the climate and seasons in India. During the dry summer months of April{{snd}}May, heat builds up on the land, which draws air from the sea. The air, which picks up moisture along the way and flows eastward from the Arabian Sea, is blocked by the Western Ghats.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/science/Indian-monsoon|title=Indian monsoon|publisher=Britannica|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=1 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160801140005/https://www.britannica.com/science/Indian-monsoon|url-status=live}}</ref> The rising air cools and brings about orographic precipitation along the western coast.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/science/orographic-precipitation|title=Orographic precipitation|publisher=Britannica|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=5 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200105212629/https://www.britannica.com/science/orographic-precipitation|url-status=live}}</ref> This signifies the onset of the monsoon season in June. By the time the air rises above the mountains, it becomes dry, resulting in a rain shadow region with very little rainfall on the leeward side towards the interior of the Deccan plateau. The monsoon winds rounding up the peninsula and moving from the east from the Bay of Bengal pass over the Eastern Ghats and bring the majority of the rainfall to the plains up north.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wgbis.ces.iisc.ac.in/biodiversity/sahyadri/wgbis_info/climate.htm|title=Climate of Western Ghats|publisher=Indian Institute of Science|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=21 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521124321/https://wgbis.ces.iisc.ac.in/biodiversity/sahyadri/wgbis_info/climate.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

Climate in the mountains shows variations with altitude across the range. Due to its physical proximity to the equator and the Arabian Sea, the region experiences a warm and humid tropical climate throughout the year. Mean temperatures range from {{cvt|20|°C}} in the south to {{cvt|24|°C}} in the north. Subtropical or temperate climates, and occasional near-zero temperatures during winter are experienced in regions with higher elevations. The coldest period in the region is the wettest monsoon period in the southern part of the mountain range.<ref name="WII">{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/ConservationOfRainforestsInIndia/mode/2up|title=Conservation of Rain forests in India|chapter=Biodiversity of the Western Ghats - An Overview|author=R.J. Ranjit Daniels|access-date=1 December 2023|publisher=Wildlife Institute of India}}</ref> Annual rainfall in this region averages {{cvt|100|cm}} to {{cvt|900|cm}}, with an average rainfall of {{cvt|250|cm}}. The total amount of rain does not depend on the spread of the area; areas in northern Maharashtra receive heavy rainfall followed by long dry spells, while regions closer to the equator receive lower annual rainfall and have rain spells lasting several months in a year.<ref name="WII"/>

== Biodiversity == The Western Ghats region is a biodiversity hotspot.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Biodiversity hotspots for conservation priorities|journal=Nature|volume=403|issue=6772|pages=853–858|doi=10.1038/35002501|pmid=10706275|year=2000|last1=Myers|first1=N.|last2=Mittermeier|first2=R.A.|last3=Mittermeier|first3=C.G.|last4=Da Fonseca|first4=G.A.B.|last5=Kent|first5=J.|bibcode=2000Natur.403..853M|s2cid=4414279}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Migon|first=P.|title=Geomorphological Landscapes of the World|year=2010|publisher=Springer|isbn=978-90-481-3054-2|page=257}}</ref> It consists of nearly 30% of all the species of flora and fauna found in India, most of which are endemic to this region.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwfindia.org/about_wwf/critical_regions/western_ghats2/about_the_western_ghats/|title=Western Ghats|publisher=WWF|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=21 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521124844/https://www.wwfindia.org/about_wwf/critical_regions/western_ghats2/about_the_western_ghats/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=A biodiversity hotspot|url=http://wwf.panda.org/knowledge_hub/where_we_work/western_ghats/|access-date=15 January 2019|archive-date=18 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190118005548/http://wwf.panda.org/knowledge_hub/where_we_work/western_ghats/|url-status=live }}</ref> At least 325 globally threatened species occur in the Western Ghats.<ref name="UNESCO"/>

=== Flora === The Western Ghats consist of four tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf terrestrial ecoregions of the Indomalayan realm, with the northern portion of the range generally drier than the southern portion.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.worldwildlife.org/biomes/tropical-and-subtropical-moist-broadleaf-forests|title=Tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forest|publisher=WWF|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=21 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521124905/https://www.worldwildlife.org/biomes/tropical-and-subtropical-moist-broadleaf-forests|url-status=live}}</ref> These include the following: [[File:Shola.jpg|thumb|Sholas, a unique type of stunted tropical montane forest found in the valleys]]

{| class="wikitable sortable" |+ Terrestrial ecoregions of Western Ghats !Region !Area !Areas covered |- |North Western Ghats montane rain forests<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.worldwildlife.org/ecoregions/im0135|title=North Western Ghats montane rain forests|publisher=WWF|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=21 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521124746/https://www.worldwildlife.org/ecoregions/im0135|url-status=live}}</ref> |{{cvt|11900|mi2}} |Goa, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu |- |South Western Ghats montane rain forests<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.worldwildlife.org/ecoregions/im0151|title=South Western Ghats montane rain forests|publisher=WWF|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref> |{{cvt|8700|mi2}} |Kerala, Tamil Nadu |- |North Western Ghats moist deciduous forests<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oneearth.org/ecoregions/north-western-ghats-moist-deciduous-forests/|title=North Western Ghats moist deciduous forests|publisher=One Earth|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=21 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521124840/https://www.oneearth.org/ecoregions/north-western-ghats-moist-deciduous-forests/|url-status=live}}</ref> |{{cvt|4831|mi2}} |Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra |- |South Western Ghats moist deciduous forests<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oneearth.org/ecoregions/south-western-ghats-moist-deciduous-forests/|title=South Western Ghats moist deciduous forests|publisher=One Earth|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=21 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521124842/https://www.oneearth.org/ecoregions/south-western-ghats-moist-deciduous-forests/|url-status=live}}</ref> |{{cvt|2382|mi2}} |Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu |}

Other types of ecosystems include dry deciduous forests on the leeward rain shadow region, scrub forests at the foothills, peat bogs, and swamps.<ref name="Data">{{cite web|url=http://world-heritage-datasheets.unep-wcmc.org/datasheet/output/site/western-ghats/|title=Western Ghats, data sheet|date=22 May 2017|publisher=UNESCO|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=21 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521124728/http://world-heritage-datasheets.unep-wcmc.org/datasheet/output/site/western-ghats/|url-status=live}}</ref> Montane grasslands are found in high altitude locations in the south Western Ghats interspersed with sholas, a unique type of stunted tropical montane forest found in the valleys between the mountains.<ref>{{cite report|url=https://d-nb.info/1218962216/34|title=The montane grasslands of the Western Ghats, India:Community ecology and conservation|author1=S. M. Thomas|author2=M. W. Palmer|publisher=Oklahoma State University|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=21 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521125755/https://d-nb.info/1218962216/34|url-status=live}}</ref>

Earlier sources indicated about four to five thousand vascular plant species of which nearly one-third was endemic to the region.<ref name="UNESCO2">{{cite report|url=https://whc.unesco.org/document/152424|title=Western Ghats, IUCN technical evaluation|publisher=UNESCO|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=17 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220817180519/https://whc.unesco.org/document/152424|url-status=live}}</ref> Later studies and publications have recorded 7,402 species of flowering plants occurring in the Western Ghats of which 5,588 were described as indigenous, 376 are naturalized exotics, and 1,438 species are cultivated or planted.<ref>{{cite book|title=Flowering Plants of the Western Ghats, India|year=2014|last1=Nayar|first1=T.S.|last2=Rasiya Beegam|first2=A.|last3=Sibi|first3=M.|isbn=978-8-1920-0989-6|publisher=Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute}}</ref> Among the indigenous species, 2,253 species are endemic to India and of them, 1,273 species are exclusively confined to the Western Ghats. 645 tree species were recorded with a high endemic ratio of 56%. There are 850 to 1,000 species of bryophytes, including 682 species of mosses (28% endemic) and 280 species of liverworts (43% endemic), 277 species of pteridophytes and 949 species of lichens (26.7% endemic).<ref>{{cite book|title=The Genus Syzygium Syzygium Cumini and Other Underutilized Species|year=2017|isbn=978-1-3516-4506-5|publisher=CRC Press|author=K. N. Nair}}</ref>

=== Fauna === The Western Ghats are home to thousands of species of fauna, including at least 325 globally threatened species.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Mammals of the Western Ghats: A Simplistic Overview|first1=P.O.|last1=Nameer|first2=Sanjay|last2=Molur|first3=Sally|last3=Walker|date=November 2001|journal=Zoos' Print Journal|volume=16|issue=11|pages=629–639|doi=10.11609/jott.zpj.16.11.629-39|s2cid=87414084 }}</ref> As per a 2010 report, following is the distribution of faunal species in the Western Ghats apart from more than 6,000 insect species.<ref name="Data"/><ref>{{cite journal|last1=Myers|first1=N.|last2=Mittermeier|first2=R.A.|last3=Mittermeier|first3=C.G.|last4=Fonseca|first4=G.A.B.Da|last5=Kent|first5=J.|year=2000|title=Biodiversity Hotspots for Conservation Priorities|journal=Nature|volume=403|issue=6772|pages=853–858|doi=10.1038/35002501|pmid=10706275|bibcode=2000Natur.403..853M|s2cid=4414279}}</ref>

[[File:Gaur_(Indian_Bison)_at_Periyar_National_Park_&_Wildlife_Sanctuary.jpg|thumb|A gaur herd]]

{| class="wikitable sortable" |+ Fauna of Western Ghats (2010) |- !Taxonomic group !Species !Endemic !% Endemic !Endangered |- |Mammals |120 |14 |12% |31 |- |Birds |508 |19 |4% |15 |- |Amphibians |121 |94 |78% |43 |- |Reptiles |156 |97 |62% |5 |- |Fishes |218 |116 |53% |1 |}

The Western Ghats region has one of the highest tiger populations, estimated at 985 in 2022.<ref>{{cite report |author1=Qureshi, Q. |author2=Jhala, Y. V. |author3=Yadav, S. P. |author4=Mallick, A. |name-list-style=amp |year=2023 |title=Status of tigers, co-predators and prey in India 2022 |publisher=National Tiger Conservation Authority & Wildlife Institute of India|url=https://wii.gov.in/images//images/documents/publications/statu_tiger_copredators-2022.pdf |access-date=27 April 2024 |archive-date=5 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240505145403/https://wii.gov.in/images//images/documents/publications/statu_tiger_copredators-2022.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> The Western Ghats ecoregion has the largest Indian elephant population in the wild, with an estimated 11,000 individuals across eight distinct populations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wiienvis.nic.in/Database/eri_8226.aspx|title=Elephant Reserves|publisher=ENVIS Centre on Wildlife & Protected Areas|access-date=30 January 2016|archive-date=20 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170520013620/http://wiienvis.nic.in/Database/eri_8226.aspx|url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://envfor.nic.in/pe/PE%20Note.pdf|title=Census population 2005|year=2007|work=Note on Project Elephant|publisher=Ministry of Environment and Forests|access-date=30 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120312060920/http://envfor.nic.in/pe/PE%20Note.pdf|archive-date=12 March 2012}}</ref> Other mammals include endangered and vulnerable species such as the lion-tailed macaque, Nilgiri tahr, leopard, Nilgiri langur, dhole, and gaur.<ref>{{cite iucn|author=Singh, M.|author2=Kumar, A.|author3=Kumara, H.N.|year=2020|title=''Macaca silenus''|volume=2020|article-number=e.T12559A17951402|doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T12559A17951402.en|access-date=11 November 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last1=Singh, M.|last2=Kaumanns, W.|year=2005|title=Behavioural studies: A necessity for wildlife management|url=http://www.ias.ac.in/currsci/oct102005/1230.pdf|journal=Current Science|volume=89|issue=7|page=1233|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070113063948/http://www.ias.ac.in/currsci/oct102005/1230.pdf|archive-date=13 January 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Malviya|first1=M.|last2=Srivastav|first2=A.|last3=Nigam|first3=P.|last4=Tyagi|first4=P.C.|title=Indian National Studbook of Nilgiri Langur (''Trachypithecus johnii'')|url=http://www.cza.nic.in/Nilgiri%20Langur%20studbook.pdf|year=2011|publisher=Wildlife Institute of India and Central Zoo Authority|access-date=7 February 2016|archive-date=23 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923212153/http://www.cza.nic.in/Nilgiri%20Langur%20studbook.pdf|url-status=live }}</ref> The endemic Nilgiri tahr, which was on the brink of extinction, has recovered and had an estimated 3,122 individuals in 2015.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Coimbatore/nilgiri-tahr-population-over-3000-wwfindia/article7717561.ece|newspaper=The Hindu|title=Nilgiri tahr population over 3,000: WWF-India|date=3 October 2015|access-date=1 May 2016|archive-date=8 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160208090051/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Coimbatore/nilgiri-tahr-population-over-3000-wwfindia/article7717561.ece|url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Molur, S.|author2=Brandon-Jones, D.|author3=Dittus, W.|author4=Eudey, A.|author5=Kumar, A.|author6=Singh, M.|author7=Feeroz, M.M.|author8=Chalise, M.|author9=Priya, P.|author10=Walker, S.|name-list-style=amp|year=2003|title=Status of South Asian Primates: Conservation Assessment and Management Plan (C.A.M.P.) Workshop Report, 2003|publisher=Zoo Outreach Organization/CBSG-South Asia|place=Coimbatore}}</ref> Smaller endemic species include the Malabar large-spotted civet, Nilgiri marten, brown palm civet, stripe-necked mongoose, Indian brown mongoose, small Indian civet, and leopard cat.<ref>{{cite journal|author1=Mudappa, D.|name-list-style=amp|author2=Noon, B.R.|author3=Kumar, A.|author4=Chellam, R.|year=2007|title=Responses of small carnivores to rainforest fragmentation in the southern Western Ghats, India|journal=Small Carnivore Conservation|volume=36|pages=18–26|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/258699798}}</ref><ref>{{cite iucn|author=Mudappa, D.|author2=Helgen, K.|author3=Nandini, R.|year=2016|title=''Viverra civettina''|article-number=e.T23036A45202281|doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T23036A45202281.en|access-date=11 November 2021}}</ref>

[[File:Bicolored_Frog_(_Clinotarsus_curtipes_).jpg|thumb|Bicolored frog is endemic to the region<ref>{{cite web |url=http://research.amnh.org/vz/herpetology/amphibia/Amphibia/Anura/Ranidae/Clinotarsus/Clinotarsus-curtipes |title=''Clinotarsus curtipes'' (Jerdon, 1853) |author=Frost, Darrel R. |year=2014 |work=Amphibian Species of the World |publisher=American Museum of Natural History |access-date=4 May 2014}}</ref>]]

There are at least 19 species of birds endemic to the Western Ghats, including the endangered rufous-breasted laughingthrush, the vulnerable Nilgiri wood-pigeon, white-bellied shortwing, and broad-tailed grassbird, the near threatened grey-breasted laughingthrush, black-and-rufous flycatcher, Nilgiri flycatcher, and Nilgiri pipit, and the least concern Malabar (blue-winged) parakeet, Malabar grey hornbill, white-bellied treepie, grey-headed bulbul, rufous babbler, Wayanad laughingthrush, white-bellied blue-flycatcher, and the crimson-backed sunbird.<ref name="bli">{{cite web|url=http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/ebas/index.html?action=EbaHTMDetails.asp&sid=125&m=0|title=Restricted-range species|year=1998|work=BirdLife EBA Factsheet 12 : Western Ghats|publisher=BirdLife International|access-date=3 December 2009|archive-date=2 January 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090102220838/http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/ebas/index.html?action=EbaHTMDetails.asp&sid=125&m=0|url-status=live }}</ref>

As per a 2014 report, at least 227 species of reptiles are found in the Western Ghats.<ref>{{cite book|author1=Srinivasulu C|author2=Srinivasulu B|author3=Molur S|year=2014|title=The Status and Distribution of Reptiles in the Western Ghats, India: Conservation and Management Plan|location=Coimbatore|publisher=Wildlife Information Liaison Development Society|page=160|isbn=978-81-88722-40-2}}</ref> The major population of the snake family Uropeltidae is restricted to the region.<ref>{{cite book|author1=Greene, H. W.|author2=R. W. Mcdiarmid|name-list-style=amp|year=2005|title=Wallace and Savage: heroes, theories and venomous snake mimicry, Ecology and Evolution in the Tropics, a Herpetological Perspective|pages=190–208|publisher=University of Chicago}}</ref> Several endemic reptile genera and species occur here, with the region having a significant population of mugger crocodiles.<ref>{{cite web|first=Andrews|last=Harry V.|title=Status and Distribution of the Mugger Crocodile in Tamil Nadu|url=http://www.wii.gov.in/envis/crocodile/tnadu.htm|publisher=WII|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20081123051338/http://www.wii.gov.in/envis/crocodile/tnadu.htm|archive-date= 2008-11-23}}</ref> The amphibians of the Western Ghats are diverse and unique, with a high proportion of species being endemic to the tropical rainforests of India.<ref>{{cite report|author=Karthikeyan, V.|title=A Report on the Survey of Rainforest Fragments in the Western Ghats for Amphibian Diversity|url=http://www.wii.gov.in/envis/rain_forest/chapter19.htm|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20090430184323/http://www.wii.gov.in:80/envis/rain_forest/chapter19.htm|archive-date= 2009-04-30}}</ref> New frog species have continued to be discovered in the 21st century.<ref>{{cite journal|author1=Radhakrishnan, C.|author2=Gopi, K.C.|author3=Dinesh, K.P.|name-list-style=amp|year=2007|title=Zoogeography of ''Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis'' Biju and Bossuyt (Amphibia: Anura; Nasikabatrachidae) in the Western Ghats, India|journal=Records of the Zoological Survey of India|volume=107|issue=4|pages=115–121|doi=10.26515/rzsi/v107/i4/2007/159116|s2cid=251728922|doi-access=free}}</ref> Frogs of the genera ''Indirana'', ''Micrixalus'', and ''Nyctibatrachus'', toads like ''Pedostibes, Ghatophryne'', and ''Xanthophryne'', arboreal frogs like ''Ghatixalus, Mercurana'', and ''Beddomixalus'', and microhylids like ''Melanobatrachus'' are endemic to this region.<ref>{{cite report|title=An evaluation of the endemism of the amphibian assemblages from the Western Ghats using molecular techniques|publisher=WII|place=Dehra Dun|url=http://www.wii.gov.in/publications/researchreports/2005/endemism_amphibian_summary_content.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081219184326/http://www.wii.gov.in/publications/researchreports/2005/endemism_amphibian_summary_content.pdf|archive-date=19 December 2008}}</ref>

;Fishes and molluscs [[File:Akwa18_puntius2.jpg|thumb|Denison Barb is endemic to the region]]

The southern region of the Western Ghats exhibits greater fish species richness. There are 13 genera entirely restricted to the Western Ghats (''Betadevario'', ''Dayella'', ''Haludaria'', ''Horabagrus'', ''Horalabiosa'', ''Hypselobarbus'', ''Indoreonectes'', ''Lepidopygopsis'', ''Longischistura'', ''Mesonoemacheilus'', ''Parapsilorhynchus'', ''Rohtee'', and ''Travancoria'').<ref name="Aqua">{{cite book|author1=Molur, M.|author2=Smith, K.G.|author3=Daniel, B.A.|author4=Darwall, W.R.T.|name-list-style=amp|year=2011|url=https://portals.iucn.org/library/sites/library/files/documents/RL-540-001.pdf|title=The status and distribution of freshwater biodiversity in the Western Ghats, India|publisher=IUCN Red List of Threatened Species – Regional Assessment|isbn=978-2-8317-1381-6|url-status=live|archive-date=3 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403141348/https://portals.iucn.org/library/sites/library/files/documents/RL-540-001.pdf}}</ref> The most species-rich families are the Cyprinids (72 species), hillstream loaches (34 species; including stone loaches, now regarded a separate family), Bagrid catfishes (19 species), and Sisorid catfishes (12 species).<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Raghavan|last2=Prasad|last3=Ali|last4=Pereira|year=2008|title=Fish fauna of Chalakudy River, part of Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot, Kerala, India: patterns of distribution, threats and conservation needs|journal=Biodiversity and Conservation|volume=17|issue=13|pages=3119–3131|doi=10.1007/s10531-007-9293-0|bibcode=2008BiCon..17.3119R|s2cid=7563806}}</ref> The region is home to several ornamental fishes including the endemic Denison barb,<ref>{{cite journal|author1=Raghavan, R.|name-list-style=amp|author2=Philip, S.|author3=Ali, A.|author4=Dahanukar, N.|year=2013|title=''Sahyadria'', a new genus of barbs (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) from Western Ghats of India|journal=Journal of Threatened Taxa|volume=5|issue=15|pages=4932–4938|doi=10.11609/JoTT.o3673.4932-8|doi-access=free}}</ref> melon barb, several species of ''Dawkinsia'' barbs, zebra loach, ''Horabagrus'' catfish, dwarf pufferfish and dwarf Malabar pufferfish.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://zoologica.lifescience.ntu.edu.tw/Z-10-1/Z-10-1-2.PDF|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040716010207/http://zoologica.lifescience.ntu.edu.tw/Z-10-1/Z-10-1-2.PDF|archive-date=16 July 2004|title=Zoologica|access-date=18 December 2006}}</ref> The rivers are also home to ''Osteobrama bakeri'', and larger species such as the Malabar snakehead, and Malabar mahseer.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Benziger, A.|last2=Philip, S.|last3=Raghavan, R.|last4=Ali, P.H.A.|last5=Sukumaran, M.|last6=Tharian, J.C.|last7=Dahanukar, N.|last8=Baby, F.|last9=Peter, R.|last10=Devi, K.R.|last11=Radhakrishnan, K.V.|last12=Haniffa, M.A.|last13=Britz, R.|last14=Antunes, A.|year=2011|title=Unraveling a 146 years old taxonomic puzzle: Validation of Malabar Snakehead, species-status and its relevance for channid systematics and evolution|journal=PLOS ONE|volume=6|issue=6|article-number=e21272|doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0021272|pmid=21731689|pmc=3123301|bibcode=2011PLoSO...621272B|doi-access=free}}</ref> A few are adapted to an underground life, including some ''Rakthamichthys'' swamp eels,<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Gobi|first1=K.C.|year=2002|title=A new synbranchid fish, ''Monopterus digressus'' from Kersla, Peninsular India|journal=Rec. Zool. Surv. India|volume=100|issue=1–2|pages=137–143|doi=10.26515/rzsi/v100/i1-2/2002/159618|s2cid=87291325|doi-access=free}}</ref> and the catfish ''Horaglanis'' and ''Kryptoglanis''.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Vincent|first1=M.|last2=Thomas|first2=J.|year=2011|title=Kryptoglanis shajii, an enigmatic subterranean-spring catfish (Siluriformes, Incertae sedis) from Kerala, India|journal=Ichthyological Research|volume=58|issue=2|pages=161–165|doi=10.1007/s10228-011-0206-6|bibcode=2011IchtR..58..161V|s2cid=39313203}}</ref> 97 freshwater fish species were considered threatened in 2011, including 12 critically endangered, 54 endangered, and 31 vulnerable.<ref name="Aqua"/> The reservoirs in the region are important for their commercial and sport fisheries of rainbow trout, mahseer, and common carp.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fao.org/docrep/003/x2614e/x2614e06.htm|last=Sehgal|first=K. L.|title=Coldwater fish and fisheries in the Western Ghats, India|publisher=FAO|access-date=22 September 2008|archive-date=22 October 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081022082744/http://www.fao.org/docrep/003/X2614E/x2614e06.htm|url-status=live }}</ref> There are more than 200 freshwater fish species including 35 also known from brackish or marine water.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Dahanukar|first1=N.|last2=Raut|first2=R.|last3=Bhat|first3=A.|year=2004|title=Distribution, endemism and threat status of freshwater fishes in the Western Ghats of India|journal=Journal of Biogeography|volume=31|issue=1|pages=123–136|doi=10.1046/j.0305-0270.2003.01016.x|bibcode=2004JBiog..31..123D|s2cid=83574801 }}</ref> Several new species have been described from the region since the last decade (e.g., ''Dario urops'' and ''S. sharavathiensis'').<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Britz, A.|last2=Philip|year=2012|title=Dariourops, a new species of badid fish from the Western Ghats, southern India|journal=Zootaxa|volume=3348|pages=63–68|doi=10.11646/zootaxa.3348.1.5|s2cid=87261596|url=https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/1c3b/1c9303d8f968f2541b7e2f30b0d13643f34b.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200208110138/https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/1c3b/1c9303d8f968f2541b7e2f30b0d13643f34b.pdf|archive-date=8 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last1=Sreekantha|last2=Gururaja, K.V.|last3=Remadevi, K.|last4=Indra, T.J.|last5=Ramachandra, T.V.|year=2006|title=Two new species of the genus ''Schistura'' McClell and (Cypriniformes: Balitoridae) from Western Ghats, India|journal=Zoos' Print Journal|volume=21|issue=4|pages=2211–2216|doi=10.11609/jott.zpj.1386.2211-6|doi-access=free}}</ref>

[[File:TAMIL_LACEWING_(Cethosia_nietneri_)_(7438942216).jpg|thumb|Tamil lacewing, a butterfly found in the region<ref>{{cite book|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/287980260|title=A Synoptic Catalogue of the Butterflies of India|last1=R.K.|first1=Varshney|last2=Smetacek|first2=Peter|publisher=Butterfly Research Centre, Bhimtal & Indinov Publishing|year=2015|isbn=978-8-192-98264-9|location=New Delhi|pages=223|doi=10.13140/RG.2.1.3966.2164}}</ref>]]

Seasonal rainfall patterns in the Western Ghats necessitate a period of dormancy for its land snails, resulting in their high abundance and diversity, including at least 258 species of gastropods from 57 genera and 24 families.<ref>{{cite report|author=Madhyastha N. A.|author2=Rajendra|author3=Mavinkurve G.|author4=Shanbhag Sandhya P.|name-list-style=amp|title=Land Snails of Western Ghats|url=http://www.wii.gov.in/envis/rain_forest/chapter9.htm|publisher=WII|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20090717093156/http://www.wii.gov.in:80/envis/rain_forest/chapter9.htm|archive-date= 2009-07-17}}</ref> A total of 77 species of freshwater molluscs (52 gastropods and 25 bivalves) have been recorded from the Western Ghats, but the actual number is likely higher.<ref name="Aqua"/> This includes 28 endemics. Among the threatened freshwater molluscs are the mussel species ''Pseudomulleria dalyi'', which is a Gondwanan relict, and the snail ''Cremnoconchus'', which is restricted to the spray zone of waterfalls.<ref name="Aqua"/> According to the IUCN, four species of freshwater molluscs are considered endangered and three are vulnerable. An additional 19 species are considered data deficient.<ref name="Aqua"/>

;Insects There are roughly 6,000 insect species.<ref>{{citation|author1=George, M.|author2=Binoy, C.F.|name-list-style=amp|title=An Overview of Insect Diversity of Western Ghats with Special Reference to Kerala State|access-date=24 July 2007|url=http://www.wii.gov.in/envis/rain_forest/chapter3.htm|publisher=WII|place=Dehra Dun|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20090316112850/http://www.wii.gov.in:80/envis/rain_forest/chapter3.htm|archive-date= 2009-03-16}}</ref> Of the 334 Western Ghats butterfly species, 316 species have been reported to occur in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.<ref>{{Cite report|author1=George, M.|author2=Kumar, M.M.|name-list-style=amp|title=State of the Art Knowledge on the Butterflies of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve|url=http://www.wii.gov.in/envis/rain_forest/chapter6.htm|publisher=WII|place=Dehra Dun|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20090108105816/http://www.wii.gov.in:80/envis/rain_forest/chapter6.htm|archive-date= 2009-01-08}}</ref> The Western Ghats are home to 174 species of odonates (107 dragonflies and 67 damselflies), including 69 endemics.<ref name="Aqua"/> Most of the endemic odonate are closely associated with rivers and streams, while the non-endemics are typically generalists.<ref name="Aqua"/> There are several species of leeches found all along the Western Ghats.<ref>{{Cite journal|title=On a Small Collection of leeches from Maharashtra State, India|last=Chandra|first=M.|year=1976|volume=69|pages=325–328|journal=Records of the Zoological Survey of India|issue=1–4|doi=10.26515/rzsi/v69/i1-4/1971/161420|s2cid=251700847|url=http://faunaofindia.nic.in/PDFVolumes/records/069/01-04/0325-0328.pdf|access-date=5 October 2016|archive-date=6 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161006051615/http://faunaofindia.nic.in/PDFVolumes/records/069/01-04/0325-0328.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Threats and conservation === [[File:Nilgiri_hills_view_from_Doddabetta_Peak.jpg|thumb|Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, the largest contiguous protected area in the Western Ghats]]

Historically, the Western Ghats were covered in dense forests, which formed the natural habitat for wildlife along with the native tribal people. Its inaccessibility made it difficult for people from the plains to cultivate the land and build settlements. After the establishment of British colonial rule in the region, large swathes of territory were cleared for agricultural plantations and timber. The forests in the Western Ghats were severely fragmented due to clear-felling for plantations.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mangaluru/colonisers-ruined-western-ghats-says-study/articleshow/66852040.cms|title=Colonisers ruined Western Ghats, says study|date=28 November 2018|access-date=1 December 2023|newspaper=The Times of India|archive-date=21 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521125846/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mangaluru/colonisers-ruined-western-ghats-says-study/articleshow/66852040.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> The introduction of non-native species threatened the rare endemic species and habitat specialists, which depleted faster than other species.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/alien-invasive-and-thriving/article61534872.ece|title=Alien, Invasive and thriving: Native plants choked in Western Ghats|date=9 September 2019|access-date=1 December 2023|newspaper=The Hindu|archive-date=21 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521125738/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/alien-invasive-and-thriving/article61534872.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> Complex and species-rich habitats like the tropical rainforests are much more adversely affected than other habitats.<ref>{{cite report |url=http://www.wii.gov.in/publications/researchreports/2002/frag.wii.report.pdf |title=Impact of rainforest fragmentation on small mammals and herpetofauna in the Western Ghats, South India |last=Kumar |first=Ajith |author-link=Ajith Kumar (biologist) |date= |publisher=Salim Centre for Ornithology and Natural History, Coimbatore |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20081219184202/http://www.wii.gov.in/publications/researchreports/2002/frag.wii.report.pdf |archive-date=19 December 2008}}</ref> The primary threats to fauna were not only from habitat loss, but also from overexploitation, illicit grazing, mining, poaching, and introduced species.<ref name="Aqua"/><ref name="Data"/>

The Government of India has established many protected areas, including two biosphere reserves, 13 national parks to restrict human access, several wildlife sanctuaries to protect specific endangered species, and many reserve forests.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wiienvis.nic.in/Database/Protected_Area_854.aspx|title=Protected areas|publisher=Government of India|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=21 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521125859/https://wiienvis.nic.in/Database/Protected_Area_854.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, comprising {{cvt|5500|km2}} of the forests, forms the largest contiguous protected area in the Western Ghats.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cpreec.org/04_phamplets/08_nilgiri_bio_reser/nilgiri_bio_reser.html|title=The Nilgiri Bio-sphere Reserve|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060928151229/http://www.cpreec.org/04_phamplets/08_nilgiri_bio_reser/nilgiri_bio_reser.html|archive-date=28 September 2006}}</ref> In August 2011, the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP), appointed by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests to assess the biodiversity and environmental issues of the Western Ghats, designated the entire region as an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) and assigned three levels of Ecological Sensitivity to its different regions.<ref name="WGEP">{{cite journal|url=http://moef.nic.in/downloads/public-information/wg-23052012.pdf|title=Report of the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel|author=Gadgil, M.|publisher=Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India|date=31 August 2012|access-date=4 May 2012|website=Westernghatindia.org|volume=Part 1|pages=summary XIX|archive-date=20 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150920103920/http://www.moef.nic.in/downloads/public-information/wg-23052012.pdf|url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/395071/vested-interests-harm-western-ghats.html|title=Vested interests in Western Ghats|newspaper=Deccan Herald|access-date=5 May 2016|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304073525/http://www.deccanherald.com/content/395071/vested-interests-harm-western-ghats.html|url-status=live }}</ref> Subsequent committees formed have made various recommendations to protect the region.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/kasturirangan-report-is-antienvironmental/article5533619.ece|title=Report is anti environmental|newspaper=The Hindu|access-date=14 May 2016|archive-date=4 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160104230204/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/kasturirangan-report-is-antienvironmental/article5533619.ece|url-status=live }}</ref> In 2006, India applied to the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB) for the Western Ghats to be listed as a protected World Heritage Site.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=UNESCO|year=2007|title=World Heritage sites, Tentative lists, Western Ghats sub cluster|access-date=30 March 2007|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/2103/|archive-date=12 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221112195049/https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/2103/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2012, 39 sites divided into seven clusters across the Western Ghats, were declared as World Heritage Sites.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1342/multiple%3D1%26unique_number%3D1921|title=UNESCO heritage sites|publisher=UNESCO|access-date=30 March 2007|archive-date=18 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130118010253/https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1342/multiple%3D1%26unique_number%3D1921|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/UN-designates-Western-Ghats-as-world-heritage-site/articleshow/14595602.cms|title=UN designates Western Ghats as world heritage site|newspaper=Times of India|date=2 July 2012|access-date=28 July 2013|archive-date=26 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226065757/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/UN-designates-Western-Ghats-as-world-heritage-site/articleshow/14595602.cms%0A|url-status=live}}</ref>

==See also== *Ghat Roads *Eastern Ghats

==References== {{Reflist}}

== External links == *[https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1342 Western Ghats], UNESCO World Heritage site *[http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/where_we_work/western_ghats/ Western Ghats], WWF

{{GeoSouthAsia}} {{Western Ghats}} {{World Heritage Sites in India}}

{{Subject bar|auto=1|India|Ecology|voy=Southern India}} {{Authority control}}

{{Commons category-inline}}

Category:Western Ghats Category:Mountain ranges of India Category:Physiographic provinces Category:World Heritage Sites in India Category:Landforms of Tamil Nadu Category:Landforms of Maharashtra Category:Landforms of Karnataka Category:Landforms of Kerala Category:Landforms of Goa Category:Landforms of Gujarat Category:Mountains in Buddhism Category:Freshwater ecoregions