Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav highlighted the critical role played by the Western Ghats in India’s ecological balance during a session in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, saying that the government is committed to the conservation of this vital natural asset.
The Western Ghats, spanning the Indian states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, covers an impressive 1,60,000 square kilometers along the western coast of the Indian peninsula. This verdant expanse is classified as a biodiversity hotspot, denoting a bio geographic region rich in biodiversity but facing imminent threats.
Housing more than 30% of India’s plant, fish, herpeto-fauna, bird, and mammal species, the Western Ghats is a sanctuary for numerous endemic species, including the Nilgiri tahr and lion-tailed macaque.
Importance of Western Ghats
Predating even the Himalayas, the Western Ghats is a region of immense global importance for biological diversity conservation. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it boasts high geological, cultural, and aesthetic values. The Ghats are home to over 4,000 plant species, constituting nearly 27% of the country’s flora, with numerous undiscovered species awaiting identification.
The region boasts an exceptionally high percentage of endemic species, with 78% of amphibians, 62% of reptiles, 38% of angiosperms, 53% of fishes, and 12% of mammals in India being exclusive to the Western Ghats.
In addition to its rich biodiversity, the Western Ghats supports one of the world’s highest concentrations of cultivated plants. Traditional crops like areca nut, pepper, and cardamom thrive in the hills, while coconut, mango, and jackfruit flourish along the coast. Important plantation crops, such as tea, coffee, rubber, cashew, and tapioca, further contribute to the region’s ecological significance.
Threats to Western Ghats
However, the Western Ghats faces significant threats, particularly soil erosion resulting from mining and land use. The environment minister highlighted the escalating pressure from population growth, industrial activities, and tourism, along with encroachment on forest lands and various forms of monoculture plantations.
Initiatives by the Ministry
Addressing these challenges, the Government of India, through the Ministry of Environment, has undertaken proactive conservation initiatives. Various schemes, including the National Afforestation Programme, Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitat, Forest Fire Prevention and Management, Project Tiger, and National Mission for a Green India, are being implemented in the Western Ghats states. Funds from the Compensatory Afforestation Management & Planning Authority are allocated to conservation efforts.
Recognizing the need for expert guidance, the ministry constituted the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP) and the High Level Working Group (HLWG). Based on their recommendations, a draft notification was issued in 2014, declaring biologically and culturally diverse areas as eco-sensitive areas. Despite subsequent re-notifications and consultations with state governments, a committee is actively working towards finalizing the notification, with the current draft’s validity extending until June 30, 2024.
Under the Green Fund Initiative, India has identified areas for protection and conservation, reflecting the nation’s commitment to safeguarding the Western Ghats and its invaluable biodiversity.