Environmental degradation in Western Ghats-Once a Biological Hotspot

Western Ghats or Sahyadri Hills cover up a distance of 1600 Kms. from Maharashtra to Tamil Nadu. These were once known for its most concentration of floral and faunal species. These are home for more than 5000 flowering plants along with 260 reptile species, more than 500 bird species, 179 species of amphibians and 140 mammal species. Out of these, mostly are endemic to this area. Besides, more than 300 species of endangered category are found here. The soil is of basalt rock type and laterite nature with iron and bauxite ores frequently available. There are three main rivers- Godavari, Krishna and Cauvery, which flow west to east and drain to Bay of Bengal. Such richness of floral and faunal communities is now confined to most of the lower part of the range. The growing population along the forest areas is continuously adding pressure on sustainability of the environment. As a result of habitat destruction, number of man-animal conflicts is rising.Most of the forests of the Ghats along Maharashtra have been cleared for various kinds of plantations like tea, coffee, rubber etc. along with agriculture and development of human settlements. Man-made wondrous planned hill city is coming up at Lavasa, a place 70 Kms. away from Pune which is being constructed on seven hills. The nearest water resource is the reservoir of Varasgaon dam. Plantations on these hills have almost being uprooted. Due to such developmental activities, the environment is fast degrading in this region. Due to land acquisition for building roads and other construction purposes, local forest area is being destroyed. Once, the tribes used to dwell on the forest fringes and earned their livelihood by forest produce. Today they have been displaced from most of these places, to resettle human beings in a more modern way. The natural environment has been replaced by man-made structures and amenities. Once green areas are now denuded and lead to meaningful climate change. In order to save the environment from further damage, environmental laws are to be strictly promulgated and all such activities ceased.