western ghats

Why Western Ghats are classified as natural site of ‘significant concern’ 

November 19, 2025 7:22 pm

The Western Ghats, also known as the Shayadari hills, have outstanding universal value due to their exceptional biodiversity, endemism, and role in maintaining vital ecological and climatic processes. But why has the IUCN red-flagged the Western Ghats? What major threats to the loss of habitats and species in South Asia has it highlighted? 

Eastern Himalaya, Western Ghats 'worst affected’: IIT KGP study finds steady decline in India’s forest health

September 17, 2025 12:57 pm

The researchers say forest photosynthetic efficiency has dropped 5% in the past decade, raising concerns over biodiversity loss and carbon storage

Eco-sensitive Western Ghats: Centre's forest panel declines final nod for Hindalco’s mine in Kolhapur

August 17, 2025 3:11 am

Mining prohibition in eco-sensitive areas of the Western Ghats and the mining lease location in a conservation reserve were among the reasons cited by the Forest Advisory Committee for not considering the Hindalco mine proposal.

For renewal of Western Ghats, put people at the centre

June 30, 2025 12:37 pm

The process of democratic decentralisation should help in the region’s ecological revival

In a first, researchers on a mission to study microclimate across Western Ghats

April 09, 2025 2:51 pm

There is an urgent need to document microclimate niche of plant species for saving the crops and trees around us, says one of the researchers, Balachandra Hegde of Kuvempu University who started Microclimate India project in 2021.

Pune research team conducts first-ever study of vegetation on Western Ghats cliffs

February 28, 2025 9:55 am

Slope direction plays a crucial role in determining tree cover and canopy height in the Western Ghats: Study

February 04, 2025 8:28 pm

The research paper highlights the importance of considering slope direction when planning biodiversity assessments, protecting endemic species, or increasing tree cover in the Western Ghats.

Unsung Heroes: Charmadi Hasanabba – a hotel owner at the foothill of a treacherous ghat who turned life saver for accident victims

December 15, 2024 10:31 am

In 2023, the Karnataka government awarded Charmadi Hasanabba the Rajyotsava Award for social service to mark the anniversary of the state formation day.

Kerala revises Western Ghats ESA proposal, seeks protection for 8,590 sq km amid landslide concerns

November 26, 2024 7:59 am

Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav informed the Lok Sabha about Kerala's revised proposal for declaring ESAs in the Western Ghats.

Western Ghats: Expert panel to visit Goa over demand for exclusion of some villages from eco-sensitive zone

November 03, 2024 10:35 am

Once draft notification declaring 56,825.7 sqkm of the Western Ghats as ecologically sensitive area finalised, villages marked as ESA will see a complete ban on mining, quarrying and sand mining as well as phasing out of existing mines in five years.

Meet the 'dancing' frogs of the Western Ghats

May 10, 2014 9:13 am

14 new species of so-called dancing frogs have been found in the jungles of southern India.