Difference Between the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats

Difference Between the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats

Western Ghats...

Western Ghats

The Western Ghats is a mountain chain along the west coast of India. From Gujarat in the north to Kerala in the south it runs over some 160,000 sq. km. A number of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries can be found in the range, not least of all the renowned Kaziranga National Park in Assam. In some parts of India, the Western Ghats are also called Sahyadri. They run parallel to the west coast of India....

Eastern Ghats

The Eastern Ghats are a range of discontinuous mountains along India’s eastern coast. They run parallel to the eastern coastal plains of India and span from the southernmost part of the Bay of Bengal to central Odisha and eastward to Andhra Pradesh. While the Western Ghats are taller and more continuous, the Eastern Ghats make up for it in terms of linear extent....

Meeting Point of Western and Eastern Ghats

At the Nilgiri Hills in Tamil Nadu, the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats come together. The Nilgiri Hills are a mountain range which forms part of both the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats. The Nilgiri Hills are one of the highest points in India, with an elevation over 2000 metres. There are all kinds of plants and animals outside the range. Many are unique to the world. With several national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, the Nilgiri Hills are one of the most important tourist destinations. The range is also the home of a number of tribal peoples, who have for a long time relied on the forest for their living....

Western Ghats Vs Eastern Ghats

Feature Western Ghats Eastern Ghats Location West coast of India, parallel to Arabian Sea East coast of India, parallel to Bay of Bengal Formation Uplifted block mountains Fold mountains Average Elevation Higher (900 – 1600 meters) Lower (300 – 900 meters) Continuity Continuous range with few passes Discontinuous range, dissected by rivers Rainfall Receives high rainfall due to monsoon intercepting Receives less rainfall Vegetation Dense forests with high biodiversity Sparse vegetation with patches of dry deciduous forests Rivers Most major rivers of peninsular India originate here (Krishna, Godavari, Kaveri, Narmada) No major rivers originate here; main rivers flow east into Bay of Bengal Soil Fertility Highly fertile due to heavy rainfall and organic matter Less fertile due to lower rainfall and erosion Economic Importance Rich in minerals, hydroelectric potential, tourism Known for mineral deposits like mica and bauxite; less tourism potential Cultural Significance Home to many pilgrimage centers and hill stations Less culturally significant due to lower elevation and fragmented nature...

Important Facts about the Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats

The Western Ghats...

Flora and Fauna in Western and Eastern Ghats

Western Ghats...

Significance of the Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats

With such a diverse environment, different types of medicinal plants and vital genetic resources such as wild relatives of cereals, fruit and spices occur throughout the Western Ghats. They also enjoy a unique shola habitat, a highland meadow intersprinkled with patches of evergreen forest. Hydrological and watershed roles are played by the Western Ghats. Thus the land and water of the region provide the base for the lives of millions of people. Besides the Indo-Malayan hotspot, there is no other one which affects the lives of so many people. The Eastern Ghats include Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. It is important for climate change, biodiversity, food production, and energy storage in trees. They have a key role in both the North-East and South-West Monsoons. The discontinuous woods, which are scattered throughout the area, support thousands of animals, ranging from tigers and elephants to 2600 plant species and 400 birds....

Conclusion

India’s two most important mountain ranges are the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats. On both ranges, all kinds of plants and animals live. Many exist nowhere else. The Western Ghats are older and more thoroughly eroded than the Eastern Ghats. The result is a diversity of landscapes within the Western Ghats, from tall peaks to rolling hills. The Eastern Ghats are lower and narrower than the Western Ghats, while their vegetation is less varied. But the Eastern Ghats are actually one of India’s most biodiverse areas, with rain forests, dry deciduous forests, and grasslands....

FAQs on Western and Eastern Ghats

What is the difference between Western and Eastern Ghats?...