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#Western Ghats

3 public questions tagged with this topic.

Natural History of Indian subcontinent

Lion-tailed macaque is endemic to

Lion-tailed macaque Macaca silenus is old world monkey with distinctive silver-white mane around face, black pelage, and tail tuft resembling lion tail, restricted to undisturbed tropical evergreen rainforests of Western Ghats between 100-1500 meters in Karnataka Silent Valley, Kerala Periyar, Tamil Nadu Kalakkad. Endemic to Western Ghats, highly arboreal, frugivorous, living in troops 15-30, endangered with fewer than 4000 individuals due to fragmentation by plantations, dams. Flagship for rainforest conservation, breeds poorly in captivity requiring canopy connectivity. This pattern is frequ

Ref: IUCN Red List Macaca silenus Endemic Western Ghats Endangered; WII Primates Lion-tailed Macaque Distribution

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Natural History of Indian subcontinent

Western Ghats are recognized as

Western Ghats recognized as one of 36 global biodiversity hotspots defined by Myers based on high vascular plant endemism above 1500 species and major habitat loss exceeding 70%. Evergreen forests of Ghats harbor exceptional species richness — 50% of Indian amphibians endemic, many discovered recently. Continuous chain experiences orographic rainfall 2000-7500 mm, creating varied microclimates. UNESCO inscribed Western Ghats as World Heritage natural site in 2012, emphasizing outstanding universal value. Conservation focus includes protecting endemic lion-tailed macaque, Travancore tortoise, a

Ref: Myers Hotspots Western Ghats Biodiversity Hotspot Criteria; UNESCO 2012 Western Ghats Heritage Inscription

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Natural History of Indian subcontinent

The Western Ghats are also known as

Western Ghats, mountain range extending 1600 km along western edge of Deccan plateau from Tapi to Kanyakumari, known traditionally as Sahyadri in Maharashtra, Karnataka, literally benevolent mountains. Sahyadri terminology used in Sangam literature, Marathi culture, forest department circles, and educational maps interchangeably with Western Ghats. Formation during Western Ghats escarpment uplift 150 million years ago after breakup of Gondwana. Two names reflect regional cultural geography, Sahyadri emphasizing northern Maharashtra segment, but widely understood as synonym for Western Ghats ov

Ref: NCERT Physical Geography – Western Ghats Alias Sahyadri; Western Ghats Ecology Research Group Name

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