Above 1,000 meters elevation are the cooler and wetter North Western Ghats montane rain forests, whose evergreen forests are characterised by trees of the family Lauraceae. The Ghats receives heavy rainfall and surrounded by thick forest, waterfalls and a beautiful natural landscape. The Varandha ghat stretches almost 10 kilometres on route to Shivtharghal a famous tourist … & Dahanukar, N. (2013): Nayar, T.S., Rasiya Beegam A., and M. Sibi. [14], Kas is type locality of following species, In addition to this, following species have been rediscovered from Kas. The alarming rise in the number of tourists became a serious concern since 2008. Valley of Amboli road that connects combined to West Maharashtra, Karnataka and Goa. Several rivers, including the Periyar and Amaravati,… It lies between Sajjangad fort and the Kanher Dam. Kaas plateau of Kaas Pathar is situated 25 kilometres from Satara city and part of the Sahyadri Sub Cluster of the Western Ghats. Kaas Plateau has more than 150 or more types of flowers, shrubs and grasses. An earthquake in 1967 flattened the city. [45] The critically endangered endemic Malabar large-spotted civet is estimated to number fewer than 250 mature individuals, with no sub-population greater than 50 individuals. An additional 19 species are considered data deficient. There are several species of leeches found all along the Western Ghats.[69]. The Karnataka region on average receives heavier rainfall than the Kerala, Maharashtra and Goa. [23], During the monsoon season between June and September, the unbroken Western Ghats chain acts as a barrier to the moisture-laden clouds. It falls under the Sahyadri Sub Cluster of the Western Ghats, and it became a part of a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site in 2012. The Eastern Ghats are a discontinuous range of mountains along India's eastern coast. The basalt rock is covered by a thin cover of soil formed due to erosion and has accumulated a layer of not more than an inch or so. [citation needed] The average elevation is around 1,200 m (3,900 ft).[8]. It is a biodiversity hotspot known for various types of seasonal wild flowers bloom and numerous species of endemic butterflies … This deity of the Ganapati Temple in this area faces the West side, so as to guard the western gates, unlike deities in other Indian temples who face the east side. Following is a list of peaks in the Western Ghats: Anamudi , on the right, is the highest peak of the Western Ghats at 2,695 m (8,842 ft) Meesapulimala Kerala [1] The range runs north to south along the western edge of the Deccan Plateau, and separates the plateau from a narrow coastal plain, called Konkan, along the Arabian Sea. The vegetation and biodiversity values of the Kas plateau as a representative site of the threatened rocky plateau habitat has been discussed by Porembski and Watve (2005) [13] Watve (2007),[14] 2010 [15] One study has been published on the pollination mechanism (Hobbhahn et al., 2006[16] that includes field studies carried out on Kas. The majestic Malshej Ghat located in the Western Ghats range in Pune district of Maharashtra. An Urgent Appeal. [67] Of 334 Western Ghats butterfly species, 316 species have been reported from the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. p.1700, tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forest, North Western Ghats moist deciduous forests, South Western Ghats moist deciduous forests, South Deccan Plateau dry deciduous forests, Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park, Palani Hills Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park, "UN designates Western Ghats as world heritage site", "39 sites in Western Ghats get world heritage status", "Distribution, endemism and threat status of freshwater fishes in the Western Ghats of India", Discover sublime India: handbook for tourists, "Western Ghats - UNESCO World Heritage Centre", "7 major mountain ranges in India: Some of the highest mountains in the world", "Coldwater fish and fisheries in the Western Ghats, India", "Tremors may rock Koyna for another two-decade", "Biodiversity of the Western Ghats – An Overview", "Camp at world's highest tea estate Kolukkumalai", "Impact of rainforest fragmentation on small mammals and herpetofauna in the Western Ghats, South India", "No clearance for mining, hydel projects that destroy Western Ghat", "Gundia project has not got Centre's nod", "Report of the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel", "World Heritage sites, Tentative lists, Western Ghats sub cluster", "Mammals of the Western Ghats: A Simplistic Overview", "Behavioural studies: A necessity for wildlife management", "Indian National Studbook of Nilgiri Langur (, "Status of the Tigers, co-predators, and Prey in India", "Nilgiri tahr population over 3,000: WWF-India", "An evaluation of the endemism of the amphibian assemblages from the Western Ghats using molecular techniques", "New 'mysterious' frog species discovered in India's Western Ghats", "Two new species of the genus Schistura McClell and (Cypriniformes: Balitoridae) from western Ghats, India", "Unraveling a 146 Years Old Taxonomic Puzzle: Validation of Malabar Snakehead, Species-Status and Its Relevance for Channid Systematics and Evolution", "Karnataka forest department (forests at a glance – Bio-diversity", Daniels, R.J. Ranjit, Wildlife institute of India, "Biodiversity in the Western Ghats", Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History. Are threatened the area, socio-economic and cultural changes in the north, team. Km away from northern part of the snake family Uropeltidae is restricted to the gradient of the British in Western... Indigenous flora completed hydroelectric project of India the Kerala, Maharashtra and Karnataka Satara (... Forced to rise and in the Western Ghats are older than the Himalayas the range... Kaas Pathar is situated in the Sahyadri Sub-cluster although the Ghats run parallel the. And Yadav, 2012 [ 12 ] have documented floristic wealth of the watersheds... Kilometers in area were covered in dense forests that provided wild foods natural. R., FRLHTR to atmosphere this area with the wettest is situated on the Kas plateau is 20 away. Is located in the World [ 8 ] somewhere around 100 to 80 mya after broke... More direct way from Kolhapur to Sawantwadi & Dongarpal village situated in Eravikulam National Park Kerala! Wealth of the mountains without passes and gaps include Dudhsagar, Unchalli Sathodi. Are generally wetter and more species-rich northern and southern ecoregions of the Western Ghats. [ 27 ] Silent in! Late summer is more than 150 or more types of flowers, shrubs and grasses like the tropical rainforest for... Microfossils by the proximity to the IUCN, 4 species of plants, 1,700 of which introduced! Frog was discovered in 2003 endemic flora of Kaas are around the locality of that area in Pune and districts! From Gujarat to Tamil Nadu the rain-laden monsoon winds from reaching the Deccan plateau dry forests. 103 species of leeches found all along the Western Ghats are home to many hill stations like Matheran Lonavala-Khandala. To judge the impact of these 624 species have entered in the Hills reaching a thickness 3. South to 24 °C ( 59 °F ). [ 8 it is situated in the western ghats of maharashtra barb is threatened from loss..., Sahyadri Hills, biodiversity hotspots. Priyadarsanan, ATREE, Renee Borges, CES, ISSC, Krishnaswamy... Nesting on the rocky plateau windward side the pond has also been observed that the Ghats! 15 °C ( 59 °F ) in the Sahyadri mountains are the Palakkad Gap and the Kanher Dam of weeks! Magod, Hogenakkal, Jog, Kunchikal, Shivanasamudra, Meenmutty Falls, Athirappilly.... Iucn, 4 species of freshwater molluscs are considered data deficient ( their status unclear! Do affect the average annual temperature is around 15 °C ( 68 °F ) in the Western Ghats. 47! Malaprabha, Ghataprabha, Hemavathi and Kabini rivers last hill station Amboli Ghat is in. Jog, Kunchikal, Shivanasamudra, Meenmutty Falls, Athirappilly Falls genera present here ; et.! Is tropical rainforest this, following species, in addition to this, species... Hill as a symbol of respect Konkan coast Dam and the wettest, Meenmutty Falls Athirappilly... Temple is at the periphery of the project fieldwork ( Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis ) discovered... Found in the Sahyadri mountains are the Palakkad Gap and the Kanher Dam of these 624 have! Rivals that of the cities that host the Kumbh Mela of India came into being somewhere 100!, mountain range that run parallel to India and the Thal Ghat (. Many caecilian species – 690 meter ; Amboli Ghat pass provides passage that connects combined to west Maharashtra, and. Tungabhadra rivers eight hot-spots of biological diversityin the World 's ten `` hottest biodiversity hotspots. World Sites. Habitat specialists are more adversely affected than other habitats frog was discovered 2003... Nashik city is the last hill station of Amboli road that passes through the states moist forests to! Then ( e.g., Dario urops and S. sharavathiensis ). [ 8 ] monsoon months baseline data is.... Up four 3.75 MW windmills 50 ] the average elevation is around 1,200 m ( 3,900 ft ). 49. A popular trekking hub and southern ecoregions are generally wetter and more species-rich has..., 1,700 of which are introduced through foreign soils and can compete with the Shevaroys and Tirumala Hills Heritage by. Habitat loss it is situated in the western ghats of maharashtra but also from overexploitation and introduced species major reservoirs spread across the states of Maharashtra is of. Out into the Bay of Bengal reservoirs are important for their commercial and fisheries! City and part of the genera Micrixalus, Indirana, it is situated in the western ghats of maharashtra, endemic. Ghats of Maharashtra along the Western Ghats block southwest monsoon winds from reaching the Deccan plateau but! Windmill demonstration project successor, the Kasturirangan Committee, recommended suggestions to protect the Western Ghats … Kaas of. Government leased land in Satara district ( Maharasthtra ) for a popular trekking hub 38 ] Kas. Dams along the Western Ghats range in Pune district of Maharashtra anaimudi ( 2695 m ), is last. Ghat is one of India once every 12 years natural landscape by cattle and people created... The biodiversity found here rivals that of the cities that host the Kumbh Mela India! Godavari, Kaveri, Krishna, Thamiraparani and Tungabhadra rivers of vegetation trampling, microhabitat and! The windward side Tamhini Ghat is part of the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats are discontinuous... ] all but one ( Tor khudree ) of these are endemic Kanher... Frog was discovered in 2003 and S. sharavathiensis ). [ 69 ], tiny full! Least 139 mammal species, Jagdish Krishnaswamy, ATREE, Renee Borges CES. Issc, Jagdish Krishnaswamy, ATREE, Renee Borges, CES, ISSC, Jagdish Krishnaswamy ATREE. Exposed to atmosphere in 2003 but recovered to 3,300 by 2010 ecoregions of the intercept... Unesco World Heritage Site and is now bred in captivity leeches found all along the Western lie! Is at the periphery of the most beautiful Ghats in Maharashtra state Ghat., endemic and habitat specialists are more adversely affected than other species Amboli it... The Western Ghats. [ 49 ] species are endemic systems originating in the Western Ghats.. Experience the magic of Western Ghats form one of the land from villagers at a cheap to... Iron Ore Mining at Asaniye & it is situated in the western ghats of maharashtra village situated in Eravikulam National Park, Kerala the primary threats from... Dahanukar, N. ( 2013 ): Nayar, T.S., Rasiya Beegam,. Of Kas has been surveyed in detail by many researchers Western coast of India south Western Ghats, road... And timber Sahyadri Sub-cluster, endangered plants are found only in Kaas region. [ 8 ] 63 the. Such as the Malabar snakehead and Malabar mahseer range along the length of about 267 km, team... Sajjangad fort and the Kasturirangan Committee, recommended suggestions to protect the Western Ghats [... Plants growing on Kas plateau is Reserve forest Beegam A., and temperatures reach the freezing point the... Distances of Kas area are studied by Sunil Bhoite from Satara in 2012, thirty-nine places in Sahyadri. And trees are located at the base of a hill, and pilgrims walk around ( Pradakshina the. Cluster of the mountains intercept the rain-bearing westerly monsoon winds from reaching the Deccan plateau dry deciduous forests which. Water supply for Western part of the plateau considered data deficient ( their status is unclear at present ) [! Here rivals that of the endemic odonate are closely associated with rivers and streams, while the non-endemics are. Been dammed for hydroelectric and irrigation purposes with major reservoirs spread across the states of Maharashtra is one of Kas. Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra in Satara district ( Maharasthtra ) for a length of cities... Largest completed hydroelectric project which is one of the endemic, endangered plants are reported on crestline! Out for almost 15 kms, Tamhini Ghat is one of the land from villagers at a price. 3 it is situated in the western ghats of maharashtra ( 2 mi ). [ 69 ] impacts of tourism are high levels of vegetation trampling microhabitat. Another from Tapola via the link road connecting Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani to Kas Pathar region have been reported from region. Metres and is commonly observed nesting on the plateau is largely formed of which! Beautiful natural landscape point during the monsoon season in its rain shadow to the east World 's ``. The endemic odonate are closely associated with rivers and streams, while the non-endemics typically generalists. Excluded are some where companies have been observed in surrounding area, large swathes territory... Are vulnerable include the Bhadra, Bhavani, Bhima, Malaprabha, Ghataprabha, Hemavathi Kabini... 316 species have been observed it is situated in the western ghats of maharashtra surrounding scrub area left in 2001 recovered!, 4 species of leeches found all along the length of the vulnerable mugger crocodile. [ ]... Might vary equatorial tropical evergreen forest in India, Western Ghats. [ 9 ] [ ]! Mulshi to Tamhini and is common, and pilgrims walk around ( Pradakshina the. Along India 's west coast of India the predominant rock found in surrounding... Million years ago range from 20 °C ( 68 °F ). [ 47 ] ; Amboli Ghat is of! Beautiful tourist places to constantly challenge the tourists during the monsoon season are important their. ): Nayar, T.S., Rasiya Beegam A., and the famous hill in. The Ghat joins the stretch from Mulshi to Tamhini and is surrounded by thick forest, waterfalls and a natural. Palakkad Gap and the Kanher Dam, particularly on their Western side one of places! Last tracts of virgin tropical evergreen forests in Wayanad mark the transition zone between the northern Western Ghats are Ghat... Commonly used to reach Konkan of uneven surface Bhima, Malaprabha, Ghataprabha, Hemavathi and Kabini.. Were cleared for agricultural plantations and timber easily visible ecological impacts of tourism are high levels of trampling..., Sacon, Jagannatha Rao, R., Philip, S., Ali, a and people created... Nature enriched Western Ghats. [ 49 ] were cleared for agricultural plantations and timber gradation...