The Deccan plateau is one of India's primary landmasses and one of the country's physiographic divisions. It is bounded on the west by the Western Ghats and on the east by the Eastern Ghats. The Western Ghats run parallel to the shore. They are unbroken and can only be traversed through passes. The Eastern Ghats are dissected by rivers that flow into the Bay of Bengal, making them discontinuous and uneven. This article will explain to you about The Western and Eastern Ghats which will be helpful in Geography preparation for the UPSC Civil service exam.

The Western Ghats

• The subduction of the Arabian basin and the tilting of the peninsula in the east and northeast during the Himalayan uplift generated the Western Ghats.
• As a result, it seems to block mountains in the west, with escarpments and staircase formations on the slope.
• The Western Ghats is one of the world's eight biodiversity hotspots, spanning six states: Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala.
• It is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of the world's eight "hottest hotspots" of biological variety.
• The Western Ghats, according to UNESCO, is older than the Himalayas. They have an impact on Indian monsoon weather patterns by intercepting rain-laden monsoon winds that blow in from the southwest in late summer.
• It spans all the way from Tapi Valley to Kanyakumari. It is known as Sahyadri till 11° N.
• It is divided into three pieces.
  • Northern Western Ghats
  • Middle Sahyadri(Central Western Ghats)
  • Southern Western Ghats

Northern Western Ghats

• The Northern Western Ghats are found between Tapi Valley and 16° N latitude. It is covered in basaltic lava.
• Kalsubai is the highest point. Rivers cut through the mountainous terrain.
• The northern Ghats, from Tapi Valley to a little north of Goa, is composed of horizontal sheets of Deccan lavas (Deccan Traps).
• The average elevation of this portion of the Ghats is 1,200 m above mean sea level, however, some peaks reach higher elevations.
• Important peaks include Kalasubai (1,646 m), Salher (1,567 m) around 90 kilometers north of Nashik, Mahabaleshwar (1,438 m), and Harishchandragad (1,424 m).
• Thal ghat and Bhor ghat are key passes that connect the Konkan Plains in the west with the Deccan Plateau in the east via road and rail.

Middle Sahyadri (Central Western Ghats)

• The Middle Sahyadri range stretches from 16°N latitude to the Nilgiri hills.
• This section is composed of granites and gneisses.
• The surrounding region is densely forested.
• Headward erosion of west-flowing streams has significantly fragmented the western scarp.
• The average elevation is 1200 meters, although numerous peaks reach 1500 meters.
• Important peaks are the Vavul Mala (2,339 m), Kudremukh (1,892 m), and Pashpagiri (1,714 m).
• The Nilgiri Hills, which connect to the Sahyadris around the tri-junction of Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, rise suddenly to above 2,000 meters.
• They are the meeting point of the Western and Eastern Ghats.
• This area's most notable peaks are Doda Betta (2,637 m) and Makurti (2,554 m).
• It has a granitic structure and is located in the Central Western Ghats.
• Mullayanagiri on Baba Budan Hill is Karnataka's highest peak. This segment has developed nick spots as well as waterfalls such as Gersoppa/jog Falls across the Sharavathi River.
• This portion is distinguished by two separate features: Malnad, which are hills, and Maidan, which are plateau surfaces.
• The river Kaveri comes from the Brahmagiri Hills, and the lake is known as Talakaveri Lake.

Southern Western Ghats

• Pal ghat Gap separates the southern half of the Western Ghats from the main Sahyadri range.
• It's also known as the southern mountain complex.
• On each side of this chasm, the high ranges end abruptly.
• A rift valley is Pal ghat Gap. A number of highways and railway lines exploit this gap to connect the plains of Tamil Nadu with the coastal plains of Kerala.
• The southwest monsoon's moist-bearing clouds can penetrate some distance inland through this gap, delivering rain to the Mysore region.
• South of the Pal ghat Gap, on both the eastern and western sides of the Ghats, there is a complex system of steep and rough slopes.
• Anai Mudi (2,695 m) is the highest point in southern India.
• Anai Mudi is surrounded by three mountains that radiate in opposite directions. The Anaimalai (1800-2000 m) range is to the north, the Palani (900-1,200 m) range is to the northeast, and the Cardamom Hills or Maalaimalar range is to the south.
• The southern Western Ghats have three parallel ranges to the coast, namely the Nilgiris, Annamalai, and Cardamon ranges, as well as a transverse range, the Palani Palghat gap, which is located between the southern half of the Western Ghats and the main Sahyadri range.
• These mountains range in elevation from 1600 to 2500 meters. Doddabetta is Nilgiris' tallest mountain.
• Anamudi is Annamalai and South India's tallest peak. The highest point in the Cardamom Hills is Agasti Malai.

Eastern Ghats

• The Eastern Ghats stretch practically parallel to India's east coast, leaving wide open plains between their base and the shore.
• It is a series of extensively fractured and disconnected hills that extends from Odisha's Mahanadi to Tamil Nadu's Vagai. Between the Godavari and the Krishna, they nearly vanish.
• They lack structural unity as well as physiographic continuity. As a result, these hill groupings are often recognized as separate entities.
• The Maliya range's peaks and ridges have a height range of 900-1,200 meters, with Mahendra Giri (1,501 meters) being the highest point.
• Higher heights in the Madugula Konda range vary between 1,100 and 1,400 meters, with numerous summits topping 1,600 meters.
• In Araku Valley, prominent peaks include Jindhagada Peak (1690 m), Arma Konda (1,680 m), Gali Konda (1,643 m), and Sinkram Gutta (1,620 m).
• The Eastern Ghats lose their steep nature between the Godavari and Krishna rivers and are populated by Gondwana formations.
• The Eastern Ghats resurface as a more or less continuous hill range in the Andhra Pradesh districts of Cuddapah and Kurnool, where they are known as the Nallamala Range.
• The Palkonda range is the southernmost portion of this range.
• To the south, the hills and plateaus reach very low elevations, with only the Javadi Hills and the Shevroy-Kalrayan Hills forming two separate 1,000 m height features.
• The Biligiri Rangan Hills in Karnataka (near the Tamil Nadu border) reaches a height of 1,279 meters.
• The Eastern Ghats meet the Western Ghats further south.

Difference between the Western and Eastern Ghats

The Western and Eastern Ghats - Significance

• The Western Ghats offer a wide range of habitats, from tropical wet evergreen forests to montane grasslands, which contain various medicinal plants and vital genetic resources such as wild relatives of cereals, fruit, and spices.
• They also have the distinctive shola habitat, which consists of highland meadows mixed with areas of evergreen forest.
• The Western Ghats play critical hydrological and watershed roles.
• As a result, the region's land and water support the livelihoods of millions of people. Other than the Indo-Malayan area, no other biodiversity hotspot affects the lives of such a huge number of people.
• Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu are all part of the Eastern Ghats.
• It has a significant impact on climate change, biodiversity, food production, and energy storage in trees.
• They play an important part in both the North-East and South-West Monsoons.
• These discontinuous woods are home to a variety of animals, including tigers and elephants, as well as 2600 plant species and 400 bird species.

Conclusion

The Deccan Plateau's western and eastern margins are marked by the Western and Eastern Ghats, respectively. The Western Ghats are a mountain range that is lofty and continuous. The Eastern Ghat is characterized by fragmented mountain ranges and low elevations. The Western Ghats provide a diverse range of habitats and play a significant role in the monsoon break of both the North-East and South-West Monsoons.

FAQs

MCQs

1. Which of the following rivers originates in the Western Ghats?

A. Godavari
B. Krishna
C. Narmada
D. Brahmaputra

2. Which mountain range is known for its rich biodiversity and has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

A. Eastern Ghats
B. Western Ghats
C. Himalayas
D. Vindhyas

3. Which of the following peaks is the highest point in the Eastern Ghats?

A. Anamudi
B. Jindhagada Peak
C. Dodabetta
D. Kalsubai

4. What is the main climatic role of the Western Ghats?

A. They block the cold winds from the north
B. They influence the Southwest Monsoon
C. They receive rain only during the Northeast Monsoon
D. They create a cold desert region

5. Which of the following is NOT a major river flowing through the Eastern Ghats?

A. Godavari
B. Cauvery
C. Narmada
D. Krishna

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Discuss the ecological significance of the Western Ghats in regulating the climate of peninsular India.

Answer: The Western Ghats play a crucial role in regulating the climate of peninsular India. Acting as a natural barrier to the Southwest Monsoon, the Ghats force moist winds to rise, resulting in heavy rainfall on the windward side, which supports agriculture and dense forests in states like Kerala and Karnataka. The rain shadow effect on the leeward side, particularly in regions like Maharashtra, leads to drier conditions. The Western Ghats are also home to unique ecosystems and biodiversity, making them essential for maintaining ecological balance and acting as carbon sinks, which mitigate climate change.

Q2: Compare and contrast the Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats in terms of their geological features, biodiversity, and climatic influence.

Answer: The Western Ghats are a continuous range running parallel to the western coast of India, with higher elevations and dense tropical forests. They are known for their rich biodiversity, being a biodiversity hotspot with many endemic species. The Eastern Ghats, in contrast, are fragmented and lower in elevation, with a more arid climate and less biodiversity. The Western Ghats significantly influence the Southwest Monsoon, while the Eastern Ghats play a more moderate role in the Northeast Monsoon. The rivers originating from the Western Ghats provide significant water resources, whereas the rivers crossing the Eastern Ghats, like the Godavari and Krishna, are vital for agriculture in the east.

Q3: Explain the role of the Western and Eastern Ghats in supporting agriculture and water resources in India.

Answer: Both the Western and Eastern Ghats play critical roles in supporting agriculture and water resources in India. The Western Ghats act as the source for several major rivers like the Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri, which provide irrigation for agriculture in the states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh. The abundant rainfall on the windward side of the Western Ghats ensures fertile soils for crops like rice, tea, coffee, and spices.
The Eastern Ghats, though receiving less rainfall, are still vital for agriculture in states like Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, where the Godavari and Krishna rivers flow through the Ghats and support irrigation. The dams and reservoirs built along these rivers also contribute to hydropower generation and water supply for domestic and industrial purposes.

Previous Year Questions on Western and Eastern Ghats

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2021

Question: Which of the following rivers originates in the Western Ghats?
A. Narmada
B. Tapti
C. Krishna
D. Brahmaputra

Answer: C

Explanation: The Krishna River originates in the Western Ghats and flows eastward, draining into the Bay of Bengal. The Narmada and Tapti rivers, on the other hand, originate in central India and flow westward.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2020 (GS Paper 1)

Question: Compare the role of the Western and Eastern Ghats in influencing the climatic conditions of their respective regions.

Answer: The Western Ghats significantly influence the Southwest Monsoon by acting as a barrier, causing moist winds to rise and resulting in heavy rainfall on the windward side, particularly in Kerala, Karnataka, and Goa. This results in a tropical wet climate on the western side, supporting lush forests and agriculture. The leeward side, particularly in Maharashtra, experiences a rain shadow effect, leading to semi-arid conditions.
The Eastern Ghats, being more discontinuous and lower in elevation, have a moderate effect on the Northeast Monsoon. Though they do not receive as much rainfall as the Western Ghats, they still contribute to the agricultural productivity of regions in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh through their role in supporting rivers like the Krishna and Godavari.