- Geographical Importance:
- The Western Ghats (Sahyadri) stretch across six Indian states: Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.
- Known for rich biodiversity, the Ghats host a variety of flora and fauna, earning their designation as one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots.
Relevance : GS 3(Environment and Ecology)
Current Threats:
- Climate Change & Deforestation: The region faces environmental degradation due to deforestation, climate change, and the decline of traditional livelihoods.
- Land Encroachment & Displacement: Tribal communities, historically living in harmony with the land, are being displaced due to industrialization and urbanization.
- Exploitation of Natural Resources: Activities such as quarrying, illegal mining, and poorly planned construction projects exacerbate ecological instability.
Cultural and Spiritual Connection to Nature:
- Traditional Livelihoods: The people of the Western Ghats, especially tribal communities, rely on the land for sustenance and spiritual practices, with rituals tied to agricultural cycles.
- Cultural Legacy: The land holds cultural and spiritual significance, with deities associated with natural elements. These cultural connections are being increasingly threatened by modern development.
Ecological Devastation:
- Flood and Fury: Ecological Devastation in the Western Ghats (B. Viju): Critiques the historical and contemporary exploitation of the Western Ghats, linking it to increased environmental disasters like landslides and floods.
- “The Nilgiri Hills: A Kaleidoscope of People, Culture, and Nature” (Paul Hockings): Discusses the interconnection between culture, nature, and the ecological degradation of the Western Ghats, emphasizing the need for sustainable practices.
Resistance and Resilience:
- Tribal communities has shown resistance to land encroachment while also exploring personal growth, social dynamics, and the strength of cultural resilience in the face of modernity.
Call for Conservation and Cultural Preservation:
- The destruction of the ecosystem is tied to the erasure of cultural identity, making conservation efforts critical not only for ecological reasons but for the survival of traditions and communities.
- Policy Failure: Despite the ecological importance of the Ghats, government policies and corporate actions often fail to protect the region’s fragile environment and its indigenous peoples.
- The future of the Western Ghats hinges on respecting both the natural landscape and the lives intertwined with it. Preservation requires a collective effort to combat exploitation and protect this precious ecosystem for future generations.
