{"id":137,"date":"2016-07-13T09:21:01","date_gmt":"2016-07-13T09:21:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tigersafariindia.com\/blog\/?p=137"},"modified":"2021-02-17T12:07:05","modified_gmt":"2021-02-17T06:37:05","slug":"western-ghats-and-wildlife","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tigersafariindia.com\/blog\/western-ghats-and-wildlife\/","title":{"rendered":"Western Ghats: What makes it a Wildlife hotspot?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re on the lookout for your next nature trail or wildlife photography trail, then the pristine Western Ghats of the Indian subcontinent should be on your traveler bucket list. Stretching to almost 1000 miles from Mumbai to the southern tip of the sub-continent, the Western Ghats is a marvel of nature, and home to most of the rarest, near-extinct and unique species of flora and fauna.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The significance of the region has led it to be placed in the list of the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/wwf.panda.org\/discover\/knowledge_hub\/where_we_work\/western_ghats\/?#:~:text=The%20Western%20Ghats%20are%20one,drain%20almost%2040%25%20of%20India.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2018Leading biodiversity hotspots worldwide\u201d<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Here\u2019s a quick look at the kind of flora and wildlife found in the Western Ghats.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-844 size-full\" title=\"Western Ghats landscape\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tigersafariindia.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/site_1342_0005-750-0-20131017190939.jpg\" alt=\"Western Ghats and wildlife\" width=\"750\" height=\"536\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tigersafariindia.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/site_1342_0005-750-0-20131017190939.jpg 750w, https:\/\/www.tigersafariindia.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/site_1342_0005-750-0-20131017190939-300x214.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tigersafariindia.com\/blog\/western-ghats-and-wildlife\/#Flora_in_the_Western_Ghats\" >Flora in the Western Ghats<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tigersafariindia.com\/blog\/western-ghats-and-wildlife\/#Flora_and_Fauna_of_Western_Ghats\" >Flora and Fauna of Western Ghats<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Flora_in_the_Western_Ghats\"><\/span>Flora in the Western Ghats<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The region is incredibly diverse in vegetation, with 4 major forest types and 23 sub dorset types being recognized. Depending on the level and areas of rainfall, both dry hill forests and moist forests have been discovered. There are also evergreen forests, with the famous Silent Valley region known as a true tropical rainforest in the Western Ghats.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another type is the Shola forest, which is characterized by the high moisture levels, isolated yet compact evergreen patches and stunted tree growth. The Western Ghats is also called India&#8217;s emporium of medicinal plants. Ovr 150 species of medicinal plants have been discovered, with a majority of them holding significance in Ayurvedic healing practices.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In addition to these, there are over 5,000 species of flowering plants in the region, almost 2100 of which are endemic to the region and cannot be found anywhere else. There are also some truly beautiful natural phenomena that happen in the region such as the mass blooming of the Karvi flower, a blossom that blooms in a synchronized manner and turns the lush green of the Sahyadri ranges into a deep blue giving the region the name \u2018Neelgiri\u2019.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Fauna in the Western Ghats<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With all that lush expanse to roam about, you wouldn&#8217;t be surprised to find some of the most exotic, rare and beautiful animal species.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Among mammals, the most photographed is the royal bengal &#8211; hugely popular tourist attraction that has led the country to set up and effectively run various conservation programs. Endangered species include the lion-tailed macaque and malabar large-spotted civet.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Western Ghats is home to over 500 species of birds &#8211; the predatorial, the tiny, the colorful and even the wackiest of forms. Keep those binoculars of yours handy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From majestic to creepy crawlies, the Western Ghats has some surprises lurking in the shadows and under the soil too. The infamous King Cobra is a common sight, while snails and frogs of various sizes and forms are also moving about.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aquatic species are plenty too. Pufferfish, catfish and colorful ornamental fishes are found in the rivers in the region.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>&lt;h2&gt;Best Nature Parks in the Western Ghats&lt;\/h2&gt;<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Got trekking boots, a safari jacket and an intense desire to be one with nature? You\u2019re in luck! With such a massive stretch of biodiversity, various regions along the Wedstern Ghats have been converted into wildlife preservation zones, with some of them open for public viewing. Here\u2019s our pick of the 5 best nature parks you have to plan a visit to.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Borivali National Park &#8211; Maharashtra\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chorao Bird Sanctuary &#8211; Goa\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nagarahole National Park &#8211; Karnataka<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Silent Valley National Park &#8211; Kerala\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Anamalai Wildlife Sanctuary &#8211; Tamil Nadu<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ready to explore the western ghats? Make your next trip a wild one, book your <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tigersafariindia.com\/tour-packages\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">wildlife safari<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with us. <\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Flora_and_Fauna_of_Western_Ghats\"><\/span>Flora and Fauna of Western Ghats<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Western Ghats are one of the world&#8217;s ten &#8220;Hottest\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Biodiversity_hotspot\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">biodiversity hotspots<\/a>&#8221; and have over 7,402 species of flowering plants, 1814 species of non-flowering plants, 139 mammal\u00a0species, 508 bird species, 179 amphibian species, 6000 insects species and 290 freshwater fish\u00a0species. At least 325 globally\u00a0threatened species\u00a0occur in the Western Ghats. It would be safe\u00a0to say that this range is home to a lot of hidden gems.<\/p>\n<p>These were declared an ecological hotspot in 1988, even though they cover only 5% of India&#8217;s land.\u00a0The Government of India took a conscious effort to preserve the gem, by establishing two biosphere reserves, thirteen national parks, several <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tigersafariindia.com\/parks\">wildlife sanctuaries<\/a> and reserve forests, to protect this region enriched with wildlife.<\/p>\n<p>the Western Ghats serve as important corridors to wildlife as they form an integral part of the Elephant and Project Tiger reserves. After Sunderbans, the Ghats are known to\u00a0have the highest population of tigers, with an estimation of 336 to 487 tigers. From the 7,402\u00a0species of flowering plants found in the Western Ghats, 5,588 species are indigenous. Among\u00a0the indigenous species, 2,253 species are endemic to India. And of them, 1,273 species are\u00a0exclusively confined to the Western Ghats.<\/p>\n<p>Western Ghats carry an abundance of wildlife, which needs proper care and preservation. You will be surprised to see the rich diversity only when you visit them yourself.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you\u2019re on the lookout for your next nature trail or wildlife photography trail, then the pristine Western Ghats of the Indian subcontinent should be on your traveler bucket list. Stretching to almost 1000 miles from Mumbai to the southern tip of the sub-continent, the Western Ghats is a marvel [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":844,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,5,7,8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-137","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-adventures","category-forest","category-india","category-jungle"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tigersafariindia.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/137","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tigersafariindia.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tigersafariindia.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tigersafariindia.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tigersafariindia.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=137"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.tigersafariindia.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/137\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tigersafariindia.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/844"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tigersafariindia.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=137"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tigersafariindia.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=137"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tigersafariindia.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=137"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}