Environmental issues in Western Ghats

Published on 05 Apr 2025

The Western Ghats are a group of mountains that run parallel to India's western coast. It is known for having a high level of biological diversity and is the home to several indigenous species.

Importance of Western Ghats

• Environmental

• Role in Monsoon: Western Ghats play a major role in India's Monsoon weather pattern by providing heavy rainfall along the western coast.

• Carbon Sequestration: It is estimated that Western Ghats neutralise around 4 million tonnes of carbon every year- around 10% of emissions neutralised by all Indian forests.

• Endemism: Numerous species found nowhere else on the planet can be found in this region.

• Example: Approximately 52% of tree species and 65% of amphibians found in western Ghats are endemic.

• Economic

• Agriculture: Local communities cultivate different crops and engage in traditional farming methods.

• Example: Coffee, tea, rubber, pepper, areca nut, and cardamom are cultivated in Western Ghats

• Tourism and Recreation: Diverse landscapes, waterfalls, wildlife, trekking etc. make it a famous destination for eco-friendly tourism.

• Example: Munnar in Kerala

• Income generation: Minor Forest Produce collected by tribes provide a meaningful income for their livelihood.

• Example: Tribal communities collecting MFPs like ponamboo and kudampuli in Kerala

• Social

• Home to Tribal Groups: Western Ghats are also home to communities like Gowlis, Kunbis, Halakki Vakkala, Kare Vakkala, Kunbi, and Kulvadi Marathi.

Threats to the Western Ghats

• Encroachment by Human Settlements:  Human encroachments occur both within and outside protected areas across the Western Ghats.

• Example: State government identified 2.04 lakh acres of forest land as encroached in Karnataka, and almost 77% of these are in the Western Ghats regions in Shivamogga, Chikkamagaluru and Uttara Kannada districts.

• Mining: The mining industry has expanded rapidly in violation of the law, seriously harming the environment.

• Example: Illegal sand extraction in Hosanagar and Sagar taluks in the ecologically sensitive area of the Western Ghats.

• Hydroelectric Projects: The construction of hydropower dams in the Western Ghats has resulted in habitat destruction, the altering of river flows, and displacement of local communities.

• Invasive Species: The introduction of invasive species can change ecological processes and negatively impact biodiversity.

• Example: The invasive alien tree Senna Spectabilis easily colonises the landscape by destroying the native vegetation in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary.

• Illegal Logging and Poaching: Poaching of wildlife and illegal logging for timber are ongoing problems in the Western Ghats.

• Example: Poaching of Indian bullfrog in Goa

• Plantations: Tea, coffee, rubber, and monocultures of different species—including the recently introduced oil palm—dominate agroforestry systems in the Western Ghats.

• Deforestation and Habitat Loss: Habitat loss due to rapid deforestation, which is caused by infrastructural development, logging, and agricultural expansion.

• Example: According to Western Ghats Spatial Decision Support System (WGSDSS), a loss of 5% evergreen forest cover with an increase of 4.5% built-up cover, and 9% agriculture area. 

Government initiatives and policy measures

• Gadgil Committee Report, 2011: It proposed that the entire area be designated as ecologically sensitive area (ESA)and smaller regions within the region were to be identified as ecologically sensitive zones (ESZ) I, II or III.

• Kasturirangan Committee 2012: It advised that 37% of the overall land of Western Ghats should be brought under ESA and that a complete prohibition on mining, quarrying, and sand mining be imposed in ESA.

• Biodiversity Conservation and Rural Livelihood Improvement Project: To develop and promote new models of conservation at the landscape scale through enhanced capacity and institution building.

Way Forward

• Implementation of Ecologically Sensitive Zones (ESZs): Strict enforcement and adequate delineation of Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) around protected areas in the Western Ghats can help limit human activities and prevent habitat degradation.

• Community Engagement and Participation: Community participation builds a sense of ownership and responsibility towards the conservation of the Western Ghats.

• Example: Malabar Pied Hornbill has been protected under a community-based initiative involving Kadar tribal community in the Vazhachal Forest division of Kerala.

• Sustainable Development: There is a need for balance between conservation and development projects to achieve sustainable development.

• Research and Monitoring: Encourage scientific research and monitoring programs to understand the changing dynamics of Western Ghats ecosystems.

• Effective Law Enforcement and Governance: Ensure that existing environmental rules and regulations are implemented and that penalties for noncompliance are enforced.

Tags:
Environment

Keywords:
Biodiversity Western Ghats Habitat Conservation Ecosystems

Syllabus:
General Studies Paper 3

Topics:
Biodiversity and Wildlife Conservation