Systematic revision of land snails of the western ghats. The western ghats, extending along the west coast of india, covers an area of 180,000 square kilometers figure 1. The worlds most biodiversity hotspot is home to 508 species of bird,which are also found in the nilgiri biosphere reserve. Located in the western ghats range, it rises to 8,842 feet 2,695 metres and is peninsular indias highest peak. Nov 01, 2015 the western ghats form one of the four watersheds of india, feeding the perennial rivers of india. Dec 09, 2014 the western ghats is part of the western ghatssri lanka biodiversity hotspot. Pdf the western ghats is a mega biodiversity region, with varied flora, fauna and landscapes. Western ghats is a global biodiversity hotspot and a treasure trove of many endemic species. The venomous malabar pit viper trimeresurus malabaricus is another beautiful snake from the western ghats which uses its heat sensing pits to track and hunt prey. Biodiversity of the western ghats complex of karnataka. Norman myers included the western ghats amongst the 25 biodiversity hotspots identified in the world the western ghats extend from the satpura range in the north, go south past goa, through karnataka and into kerala and tamil nadu end at kanyakumari embracing.
The western ghats 40 the western ghats the western ghats also known as the sahayadaris, is one of the worlds ten hottest biodiversity hotspots. Kodagu western ghats, india, we discuss how a gi can be successfully used by local producers and what conditions are needed for it to have a positive impact on the landscape and its associated biodiversity. It has rich and unique assemblage of flora and fauna mi ttermeier et al. The wg also contain more than 30 percent of indias plant, fish, bird and mammal species. The biodiversity heritage library works collaboratively to make biodiversity literature openly available to the world as part of a global biodiversity community. Found in forest, sometimes nearby gardens having suitable flowering plants. Though the western ghats have shrunk by 25% over the past two decades, the environment. A unique repository of information on indias biodiversity the western ghats the portal aims to aggregate data through public participation and provide open and free access to biodiversity information. The western ghats extend from the satpura range in the north, go south past goa, through karnataka and into kerala and tamil nadu end at kanyakumari embracing indian ocean. This is most authentic and revised list of land snails of the western ghats. Biodiversity of western ghats india please mention habitat and provide descriptions when filling in spotttings.
Both the western ghats and sri lankas central highlands are particularly known for their amphibian diversity. To qualify as a hotspot, a region must meet two criteria. The biodiversity hotspot of the western ghats, india. It has four major forest types and 23 floristic types as well as the unique high altitude grasslands. Indoburma is one of the most threatened biodiversity hotspots, due to the rate of resource exploitation and habitat loss. The life supporting and biodiversity rich ecosystems of western ghats are threatened today due to habitat pressures. The western ghats, extending along the west coast of india, covers an area of 180,000. The western ghats comprises the major portion of the western ghats and sri lanka hotspot, one of 34 global biodiversity hotspots for conservation and one of the two on the indian subcontinent. Huge diversity of natural, seminatural and agroecosystems. A unique repository of information on indias biodiversity. Report of the western ghats ecology expert panel document.
The western ghats, also known as the sahyadri hills, are well known for their rich and unique assemblage of flora and fauna. Developing educational material on the western ghats, a global biodiversity hotspot, for local schools and libraries technical report submitted to the rufford foundation prepared by meera anna oommen s. Developing educational material on the western ghats, a. The long western and eastern coastal belt with sandy beaches, forests and mangroves. The distribution and abundance patterns of malabar grey hornbill ocyceros griseus and great hornbill buceros bicornis were studied in one undisturbed and one heavily altered rainforest landscape in the southern western ghats, india. Finally, the author calls for urgent attention for generating the trained manpower in taxonomy for shouldering this big responsibility of inventorization and conservation of the rich biodiversity of western ghats. This paper presents a thorough checklist of mammals of western ghats along with the status according to the 1994 iucn red list criteria of the taxa in western ghats if endemic or in india. In view of the environmental sensitivity and ecological significance of the western ghats region and the complex interstate nature of its geography, as well as possible impacts of climate change on this region, the ministry of environment and forests, government of india, constituted, by an. Why india must protect the western ghats from getting lost. Spottings of pets, domesticated or caged animals and garden plants are not eligible for this mission. A total of 28 plants in the brahma database are found in western ghats.
The objective of this study is to present a methodological approach to assess the inherent vulnerability of forests and apply it to a case study. The western ghats again find a place in the news after the announcement of the. The western ghats is the home for about 50 million people belonging to the six states of the country. From this point radiate three rangesthe anaimalai to the north, the palni to the northeast, and the cardamom hills to the south. The proposed approach includes use of analytical framework that enables selection of vulnerability criteria. Global biodiversity hotspot extraordinarily rich in plant and animal species.
Western ghats biodiversity is a significant source of moisture for monsoon the mountain range that runs along the west coast of peninsular india from tamil nadu through kerala, karnataka, and goa to maharashtra is known as the western ghats and is very well known for its majestic beauty. The user has shared this document from india biodiversity portal with you. Forest cover has declined by up to 50% in parts of uttara kannada district of karnataka and the evergreens in kerala are facing a threat of extinction. The western ghats are the mountain groups running parallel to the western coast of the indian peninsula. Important rivers include the godavari, tungabhadra, krishna, thamiraparani and kaveri. Of the total 325 globally threatened species in the western ghats, 129 are classified as vulnerable, 145 as endangered and 51 as critically endangered. Such a magnitude of biodiversity, and the array of threats faced by the various components of biodiversity have together ranked the western ghats amongst the 25 biodiversity hotspots in the world. Details horalabiosa palaniensis, a new cyprinid fish. The western ghats, also known as sahyadri benevolent mountains, are a mountain range that covers an area of 140,000 square kilometres 54,000 sq mi in a stretch of 1,600 kilometres 990 mi parallel to the western coast of the indian peninsula, traversing the states of kerala, tamil nadu, karnataka, goa, maharashtra and gujarat. A total of thirtynine areas in the western ghats, including national parks, wildlife. But the flagship species of the western ghats is the king cobra ophiophagus hannah.
Even, information about the subspecies found in western ghats or south india is added. Land use c has undergone drastic changes over the last 30. Geographical indications and biodiversity in the western. Tourism in forest areas of western ghatsjanuary 2011. The globally threatened flora and fauna in the western ghats are represented by 229 plant species, 31 mammal species, 15 bird species, 43 amphibian species, 5 reptile species and 1 fish species. It is the source of water for the entire peninsular india, and also influences the monsoons. The western ghats region, like other parts of the tropics, is undergoing rapid transformation. Apr 25, 2017 the western ghats is a mountain range running parallel to peninsular indias western coast. At least 325 globally threatened species occur here. Western ghats assessment report pdf pecies summariesiii s pecies maps and point localitiesiv s. Endemic and threatened flowering plants of western ghats with special reference to konkan region of maharashtra. Why india must protect the western ghats from getting lost it could become a model for the entire country.
Growing up to 15ft and weighing up to 10kgs, it is the worlds longest venomous snake. This ebook provides information about 277 species of butterflies found in western ghats part of india. Biodiversity hotspots earths most biologically rich. The ghats is well known for its biodiversity, where we can find a variety of flora and fauna. In terms of plant diversity, the western ghats harbour.
Endemic and threatened flowering plants of western ghats. What makes the western ghats a hotspot of biological diversity. Western ghats and sri lanka hotspot, one of 34 global biodiversity hotspots for. Seven new species of night frogs anura, nyctibatrachidae from the western ghats biodiversity hotspot of india, with remarkably high diversity of diminutive forms. Western ghats biodiversity is a significant source of moisture for monsoon raghu murtugudde pune updated on may 04, 2018 published on may 04, 2018 a view of the western ghats. Ghat, a term used in the indian subcontinent, depending on the context could refer either to a range of steppedhills with valleys ghati in hindi, such as the eastern ghats and western ghats. The western ghats, also known as sahyadri benevolent mountains, are a mountain range. For every species colour illustrations showing the upperside, underside, male and female, wherever dimorphic, are given. Indias western ghats face biodiversity loss scidev.
Problems and prospects associated with the bioprospection of the floristic diversity are discussed. Hottest hotspots of biodiversity, species richness and endemism the western ghats. We are experiencing delays with our pdf generator or select pages to download feature. The role of informal protected areas in maintaining.
This project covers prominent tree species and shrubs from 10 districts, located in western ghat regions of maharashtra, viz. Like other biodiversity hotspots, the western ghats has a high proportion of endemic species. A unesco world heritage site and a biodiversity hotspot, the western ghats ecoregion is a storehouse of natural treasures found nowhere else in the world. Originally recognized as among the several global hotspots of biodiversity, the western ghats along with its geographical. Figure 1 kodagu district a is located in the western ghats of india b. Freshwater biodiversity assessments in the western ghats.
It is made as a simple pdf so that any species can be searched using the search option. The distribution and magnitude of the biodiversity that. The western ghats is part of the western ghats sri lanka biodiversity hotspot. The western ghats in maharashtra, karnataka and kerala. Free and open access to indias biodiversity information. The western ghats in india is one of the worlds most heavily populated biodiversity hotspots, providing for and supporting 400 million people through water for drinking, transport, irrigation, and hydroelectric power, together with food and resources to sustain livelihoods. The portal aims to aggregate data through public participation and provide open and free access to biodiversity information. The western ghats is a mega biodiversity region, with varied flora, fauna and landscapes. Western ghats biodiversity is a significant source of moisture for monsoon raghu murtugudde pune updated on may 04, 2018 published on may 04, 2018 a view of the western ghats at kakayam area. Biodiversity of the western ghats with special reference. Western ghats biodiversity faces threat, says report. Although it is widely believed that an important function of protected areas is to conserve. The range covers 60,000km 2 and forms the catchment area for a complex of river systems that drain almost 40% of india.
Correlates of hornbill distribution and abundance in. Serial nomination of the western ghats of india unesco world. Digital herbarium of angiospermic plants of western ghats of maharashtra is a university grant commission, new delhi, funded project ugc reference no. Indian express western ghats as ecosensitive zones. The western ghats is one amongst the 25 biodiversity hotspots in the world.
Biodiversity in the western ghats of india shonil a. Norman myers included the western ghats amongst the 25 biodiversity hotspots identified in the world. The deforestation rate is high and forests are being transformed into agriculture and monoculture plantations. Western ghats biodiversity is a significant source of. Geographic range hypselobarbus periyarensis is endemic to the western ghats in kerala, india, where it is known from the periyar riverlake system. The distribution and magnitude of the biodiversity that exists today is a product of over 3. Nesting season december to march general features endemic to the western ghats. With less than 6 percent of the land area of india, contains more than 30 percent of all plant, fish. G o o g l e automatically generates html versions of documents as we. Only about 5% of natural habitats remain in relatively pristine condition, with another 10 to 25% of the land in damaged, but ecologically functional, condition. The majority of this expansion occurred in a global biodiversity hotspot, the western ghats 17,18. Biodiversity in indias iconic western ghats is facing a threat from forest loss, encroachment and conversion, says a global environment agency in its report. The western ghats, a unesco world heritage site, is a biodiversity hotspot that is home to more than 4,000 flowering plants, about 500 bird species, and over 300 species of mammals and amphibians.
May 04, 2018 the western ghats are often in the news due to constant threat to their biodiversity. Some endemic species of western ghats leptocoma minima crimson backed sunbird habitat western ghats. The western ghats are one of the worlds biodiversity hotspots with over 5,000 flowering plants, 9 mammals, 508 birds and 179 amphibian species. General introduction biodiversity of western ghats india is recognized as one of the worlds 12 megabiodiversity nations. Gadgil committee report on western ghats pdf madhav gadgil, submitted to the ministry of environment and forests, report of the western ghats ecology expert panel, part i. The western ghats endemic birds are the most beautiful malabar parakeet, nilgiri woodpigeon, malabar grey horn bill, greyheaded bulbul, nilgiri flycatcher and other giant flying predators. The the species has been collected from the waters inside the periyar tiger reserve raj 1941, chacko 1948, silas 1951, arun 1999, shaji and easa 2003, euphrasia. Addressing inherent vulnerability, resulting from current stresses, is a necessary step for building resilience to longterm climate change. The status and distribution of freshwater biodiversity in the western. General introduction biodiversity of western ghats india is recognized as one of the worlds 12 mega biodiversity nations. Digital herbarium of angiospermic plants of western ghats. Jan 12, 2015 the western ghats is the home for about 50 million people belonging to the six states of the country.
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