Western Ghats
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Overview
The Western Ghats, or Sahyadri, run along India's western edge across six states. They are continuous and higher than the Eastern Ghats, which rivers break into pieces; Anamudi (2,695 m) is the highest peak of the Peninsula. The range was inscribed as a natural World Heritage Site in 2012.
Heavy rain on the windward side supports tropical evergreen forest and laterite soils, good for tea, coffee and cashew. The Western Ghats–Sri Lanka region is one of India's four biodiversity hotspots. Steep, rain-soaked slopes also make the range prone to landslides, as at Wayanad in 2024.
Geography and key facts
- Also called the Sahyadri; continuous and higher than the Eastern Ghats
- Highest peak of the Peninsula: Anamudi (2,695 m)
- Natural World Heritage Site, inscribed 2012
- Part of the Western Ghats–Sri Lanka biodiversity hotspot
- Laterite soils and tropical evergreen forest (rainfall above 200 cm)
- Landslide-prone (Wayanad, 2024)
Why it matters for UPSC
Among the most asked places: biodiversity hotspots (1996, 2010, 2011), the Gadgil and Kasturirangan reports (2016), the Great Indian Hornbill (2016), where the Eastern and Western Ghats meet (2008) and statements on the range's height (2005).
Note for UPSC
Natural World Heritage Site, inscribed 2012 · Six states.
UPSC asks about the state, the dynasty or period, and whether a site is cultural or natural.
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.
Key facts
- Type
- World Heritage Site
- States / UTs
- Kerala, Tamil Nadu
- Heritage type
- Natural
- Inscribed (UNESCO)
- 2012
- Coordinates
- 10.170°N, 77.061°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.
In the lessons
More world heritage sites nearby
Other places in Kerala & Tamil Nadu
All world heritage sites · Revision list · Most asked in PYQs