The Western Ghats or Sahyadri, a chain of mountains running along the western coast of southern
India, is one of the world’s eight ‘hottest’ hotspots of diversity. A large number of its species are
endemic i.e. found nowhere else in the world. These ecosystems are irreplaceable as reservoirs of a
large number of endangered species and for the many critical services they provide. For example, all
major rivers in southern India originate in the Western Ghats, making it invaluable as a source of
water. Since it is one of the most densely populated biodiversity hotspots in the world, conservation
strategies must strike a balance between people’s needs and protection of natural resources.
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