"Western Ghats, Hotspot of biodiversity, enhancing natural beauty"

Hotspot of biodiversity, enhancing natural beauty, hillocks kissing the Zenith, historical monuments, marvellous edifices, various. World known National Parks and lives of nomads introduce us to the most alluring. mountain renge in the Western Ghats of India. The range starts near the Songadh town of Gujarat, South of the Tapti river and runs approximately 16,000 km. through the state of Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamilnadu endindg at Marunthuvazh Malai, Swamithope near the Southern tip of India in Tamilnadu. Thease hills cover 160,000 Sq.Km. and from the catchment area for complex riverine drainage system thar drain almost 40% of India. 
     The western ghats are the mountainous faulted and croded edge of the Deccan Plateau. Many peaks are in western Ghats which rise above 2,000 mt. with Annamudi 2,695 mt. Being the highest peak .The range from one of the four main Watersheds of India, feeding  the perennial rivers of India. The everflowing and pious rivers , originating in the ghats are the Godavari, Kaveri, Krishana, Thamiraparani and Tunga Bhadra river, draining out into the Bay Of Bengal. There are several man- made lakes and resevoirs which major lakes at Ooty (84 acres ) in Nilgiris, Kodaikanal (64 acres) and Berijam in Palni Hills, Pookode Lake , Karlad Lake, in Wayanad, Vagamon lake, Devibutam and Letchmi in Tdukki,Kerala. There are about 50 major dams allong the length of the Western Ghats fulfilling the hydroelectric and irrigation needs of the states. The fast falling Waterfalls Dudhsagar, Unchalli, Sathodi, Jog fall, Kunchikal fall, create such a romantic ambience in the Ghats that adores the tourists hearts.
       These ranges are enriched with the various species of flora n fauna. The dominant forest type here is Tropical rain forest. Montane forests and Tropical moist forests are also found here. Out of the 7,402 species of flowering plants occurring in the Western Ghats , 5,588 spices are native or indigenous and 376 are exotics naturalized. Teak, dipterocarps, Callenia trees are the previous. The range is also the home of thousands of animals and birds species including at least 325 globally threatened spices. There are at least 139 mammals, 80 % amphibian, 288 freshwater fish, 508 Bird and 6,000 insect species. There are important wildlife corridors and form on important part of project Elephant and project Tiger reserves. The Western Ghats ecoregion has the largest Indian tiger and elephant population occupying more than 21,435 Sq.km. area of forest. More over several endemic reptile genera occur here. The region has a significant population of the nulnerable muggar, crocodile. Besides all these the Ghats also keep echoing within the chirping sdunds of birds, including the endangered spices rufous- breasted thrush, Nilgiri wood-pigeon, white-bellied shortwing and broad-tailed grassbird.
  Hosting a huge number of  tourists every year, hill stations like Ooty, Mahabaleshwar, Lokhandwala, Khandala, Munnar, Pommudi, Coonoor and Vythrir and all situated in the Western Ghats.The Ghats feature 39 designed component areas, which are classified as tiger reserve, wildlife, sanctuaries, National parks and reserved forests. Out of these 20 are in Kerala, 10 in Karnataka,5 are in Tamilnadu and 4 are in Maharashtra. 
   Peaks and hills along with dense forests and lush valleys in the Ghats are great sports for outdoor activities like mountaineering, rock climbing, trekking, campaign and jungle walks. The boat riding with woody surrounding is a heavenly pleasure for the tourists. The western Ghats are the precious diamonds in the crown of tourism, illuminating the brightness of beauty day and night. They are the solid foundation of the economy of the states as agro forestry system (- coffee, tea, rubber, pepper, areca nut, cardamom ) shape much of western Ghats in India. The hills are estimated to contain 10 billion tons of iron ore of the magnetite variety that easily upgraded for use in steel making. As being one of the world's ten “hottest biodiversity hotspots", the Western Ghats have been documented in the World Heritage sites by UNESCO in 2012. Bestowed with waterfall, lush green forest, wildlife, serene lakes and panoramic view of the Valleys are truly what it makes heaven on earth. Except mansoons throughout the year tourists can visit hill stations, easily accessible by Air, rail and road.