Western and Eastern Ghats

The Western and Eastern Ghats are two mountain ranges in India that are separated by the Deccan Plateau. The Western Ghats run along the west coast of India, while the Eastern Ghats run along the east coast. Both ranges are home to a variety of plant and animal species and are popular tourist destinations. In this article, we will compare the two mountain ranges and discuss their unique features.

A Brief Overview on Eastern Ghats

The Eastern Ghats are a discontinuous range of mountains along India’s eastern coast. They stretch from the northern end of the Bay of Bengal in the south to central Odisha in the north and then eastward to Andhra Pradesh. The Eastern Ghats are not as tall or continuous as the Western Ghats, but they make up for it in terms of sheer length.

In terms of biodiversity, the Eastern Ghats are home to several endemic species, including the Nilgiri langur, which is found only in these mountains. The region is also home to tigers, leopards, and elephants.

The Eastern Ghats are also an important source of water for several rivers that flow into the Bay of Bengal.

A Brief Overview on Western Ghats

The Western Ghats is a mountain range that runs along the western coast of India. It stretches from the state of Gujarat in the north to Kerala in the south and covers an area of about 160,000 square kilometres. The range is home to several national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, including the famed Kaziranga National Park in Assam.

Both ranges are important for their ecological diversity and the many endemic species of plants and animals that live there. However, there are some key differences between the two ranges.

The Western Ghats are older than the Eastern Ghats and have been more heavily eroded over time. This has led to a greater diversity of landscapes within the range, from tall mountains to rolling hills. The Eastern Ghats are relatively young and have not undergone as much erosion, resulting in a more consistent landscape.

The Western Ghats are home to several major rivers, including the Godavari, Krishna, and Cauvery. These rivers provide important water resources for the region. The Eastern Ghats do not have any major rivers flowing through them; instead, they rely on smaller streams and groundwater sources.

The Western Ghats are home to a large number of tribal communities, who have traditionally depended on the forest for their livelihoods. The Eastern Ghats have a much smaller population of tribals and are mostly inhabited by people from the plains.

Where do Western and Eastern Ghats meet? 

The Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats meet at the Nilgiri Hills in Tamil Nadu. The Nilgiri Hills are a mountain range that forms part of both the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats.

At an elevation of over 2000 metres, the Nilgiri Hills are one of the highest points in India. The range is home to a variety of plant and animal species, many of which are found nowhere else in the world.

The Nilgiri Hills are an important tourist destination, with several national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. The range is also home to several tribal communities, who have traditionally depended on the forest for their livelihoods.

Conclusion

The Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats are two of India’s most important mountain ranges. Both ranges are home to a variety of plant and animal species, many of which are found nowhere else in the world.

The Western Ghats are older than the Eastern Ghats and have been more heavily eroded over time. This has led to a greater diversity of landscapes within the Western Ghats, from tall peaks to rolling hills.

The Eastern Ghats are lower and narrower than the Western Ghats, and their vegetation is more uniform. However, the Eastern Ghats contain some of India’s most biodiverse areas, including rain forests, dry deciduous forests, and grasslands.