Source: The Hindu
Stretching along the western coast of the Indian peninsula, the Western Ghats—also called the Sahyadri, or benign mountains—are made up of six states: Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.
The Western Ghats, one of the most biodiverse areas on Earth, were formerly praised for their stunning natural beauty, with tumbling waterfalls, verdant vegetation, and an amazing variety of plants and animals.
The area is in danger due to factors like land encroachment, deforestation, climate change, the loss of traditional livelihoods, and the uprooting of tribal groups.
Tribal groups face challenges in their daily life due to development and human greed. The issue of exploitation and marginalization is powerfully depicted via the sufferings of the Adivasi group in Kocharethi: The Araya Woman, written by Narayan in Malayalam and translated into English by Catherine Thankamma in 2011. The book earned the Kerala Sahitya Academy Award in 1998.
People are forced into greater poverty and displacement as land grabbers, moneylenders, and industrial expansion encroach on their ancestral lands.
After being displaced from his hometown, the protagonist of Ringaan, a Marathi novel published in 2023 and translated into English by Maya Pandit, comes home to save a cow. He thinks back to his early years and the peaceful existence he had before. Important facets of migration, the hardships faced by displaced people during extensive development projects, and the ongoing confrontation between humans and animals are all highlighted in the book.
The delicate environment has become unstable due to widespread quarrying, deforestation, illicit mining, and ill-planned construction projects. B. Viju links the activities to a rise in landslides, floods, and soil erosion in his 2019 book Flood and Fury: Ecological Devastation in the Western Ghats.
The only ways to protect livelihood, land, culture, and identity are through resilience and resistance.
Authors have emphasized in both historical and modern writings about the Western Ghats that the region is a living repository of culture, memory, and resiliency rather than merely a geographical feature. However, invasion has left this delicate ecology wounded, uprooting tribal people, destroying natural resources, and allowing policies to fail to safeguard what really counts.
Saving the Ghats is more than just maintaining their natural beauty; it means honouring the land and the lives that are intertwined with it, resisting the urge to eradicate them, and realizing that something far bigger than ourselves is at play in their continued existence.
Model Question:
“The Western Ghats are a global biodiversity hotspot but are increasingly threatened by human activities. Discuss the significance of the Western Ghats and suggest measures for their conservation.” (15 marks, 250 words)
Model Answer
The Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the eight “hottest” biodiversity hotspots in the world, stretch along the western coast of India. Spanning six states, they play a crucial role in monsoon regulation, water security, and ecological balance. However, rapid urbanization, deforestation, and climate change pose significant threats to this fragile ecosystem.
Significance of the Western Ghats
- Biodiversity: Home to over 7,400 species of flora and fauna, including endemic species like the Lion-tailed Macaque and Malabar Civet.
- Climatic Influence: Acts as a climatic barrier, influencing monsoon patterns and controlling regional rainfall.
- Water Resources: Source of important rivers like Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri, supporting millions of livelihoods.
- Agriculture & Economy: Supports spice cultivation (cardamom, pepper, coffee) and ecotourism, contributing to the economy.
- Cultural & Religious Significance: Houses many temples and sacred groves revered by local communities.
Threats to the Western Ghats
- Deforestation: Encroachment for agriculture, plantations, and urban expansion.
- Mining & Quarrying: Habitat destruction and water pollution.
- Infrastructure Development: Roads, railways, and dams fragment ecosystems.
- Climate Change: Rising temperatures and erratic rainfall patterns.
Measures for Conservation
- Implementation of Expert Reports: The Madhav Gadgil and Kasturirangan Committee reports recommend strict conservation measures and sustainable development.
- Expansion of Protected Areas: More national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and biosphere reserves.
- Community Participation: Involving local communities in eco-sensitive area management.
- Sustainable Tourism & Agriculture: Promoting organic farming, agroforestry, and regulated ecotourism.
- Strict Regulation on Industries: Enforcing environmental impact assessments and restricting mining and deforestation.
- Afforestation & Habitat Restoration: Large-scale tree plantations and restoring degraded lands.
Balancing development with ecological sustainability is crucial for conserving the Western Ghats. A participatory approach involving the government, local communities, and environmentalists is the need of the hour. Strong policy enforcement and sustainable practices will ensure the long-term protection of this vital natural treasure.
