Western Ghats (Sahyadri)
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Overview
The Sahyadri, or Western Ghats, is a continuous escarpment along the west coast through Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. It is higher and more continuous than the Eastern Ghats, which are broken by rivers; Anamudi (2,695 m) is the highest peak in the Peninsula.
Moist monsoon winds rise against it and cause heavy orographic rain on the windward side. The range is part of the Western Ghats–Sri Lanka biodiversity hotspot, one of the four hotspots India shares, and a World Heritage Site. Heavy rain, slope cutting and deforestation make it prone to landslides.
Geography and key facts
- Continuous escarpment along the west coast
- Highest peak in the Peninsula: Anamudi (2,695 m)
- Western Ghats–Sri Lanka biodiversity hotspot; World Heritage Site
- Heavy orographic rain on the windward side
Why it matters for UPSC
One of the most-asked places on the map: 15 PYQs, including the Gadgil and Kasturirangan committee reports (2016), its biodiversity and World Heritage criteria (2011, 2017), waterfalls (2024) and where the Eastern and Western Ghats meet (2008).
Note for UPSC
A continuous escarpment along the west coast; a biodiversity hotspot and a World Heritage Site. Causes heavy orographic rain on its windward side.
Questions test the order of ranges, the states they cover and the rivers and passes linked with them.
Asked in PYQs
- UPSC Prelims 2024 · Q9Consider the following information : Waterfall | Region | River…
- UPSC Prelims 2023 · Q9Consider the following statements : How many of the statements given above are correct?…
- UPSC Prelims 2017 · Q4From the ecological point of view, which one of the following assumes importance in being a good link between the Eastern Ghats and the Western Ghats ?…
- UPSC Prelims 2017 · Q58Consider the following statements : Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?…
- UPSC Prelims 2016 · Q22In which of the following regions of India are you most likely to come across the 'Great Indian Hornbill' in its natural habitat?…
- UPSC Prelims 2016 · Q68'Gadgil Committee Report' and 'Kasturirangan Committee Report', sometimes seen in the news, are related to…
- UPSC Prelims 2011 · Q20Three of the following criteria have contributed to the recognition of Western Ghats-Sri Lanka and Indo-Burma regions as hotspots of biodiversity:…
- UPSC Prelims 2010 · Q20Consider the following statements : Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?…
- UPSC Prelims 2008 · Q23Which of the following hills are found where the Eastern Ghats and the Western Ghats meet?…
- UPSC Prelims 2008 · Q25Consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?…
- UPSC Prelims 2005 · Q79Which one of the following statements is not correct?…
- UPSC Prelims 1999 · Q54"India has the largest population of the Asian X. Today, there are just about 20,000 to 25,000 X in their natural habitat spreading across the evergreen forests, dry thor…
- UPSC Prelims 1999 · Q55Which one of the following statements is not true of the Konkan Railway?…
- UPSC Prelims 1997 · Q7Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists: List I I. Deccan Traps II. Western Ghats III. Aravalli IV. Narmada-Tapi Lis…
- UPSC Prelims 1996 · Q39Which one of the following regions of India is now regarded as an 'ecological hot spot'?…
Questions from our Prelims bank whose text names Western Ghats (Sahyadri).
Key facts
- Type
- Mountain range
- States / UTs
- Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu
- Extent on map
- 10.6°–20.8°N, 72.9°–77.4°E
- Asked in Prelims
- 15 questions · 2024, 2023, 2017, 2016, 2011, 2010, 2008, 2005, 1999, 1997, 1996
From the Map Explorer data; positions are for orientation.