UPSC Express

• They are discontinuous range of mountains along the Eastern coast of India.
• They are spreaded across the five states (Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka).
• They are eroded and cut through by the four major rivers (Godavari, Mahanadi, Krishna and Kaveri) of peninsular India.
• They run parallel to the Bay of Bengal.

• It is an important physiographic area with immense bio-geographic, environmental, socio-economic, cultural and spiritual significance.
• They are the watershed of many rivers as they get higher average rainfall.

• The diversified ecological niches and environmental situation provide habitat for rich fauna.
• They are home to largest number of Asiatic elephants in the world.
• The large number of animals such as Nilgiri Tahr, Sambar, and tigers also found in the landscape.
• Apart from this, these ghats are also known for the wide variety of birds species.

• They also have a rich floral system.
• It is a region where large number of medicinal plants are found.

• They are occupied by quite a few tribes such as Savara, Jatapu, Konda Dora, Gadaba, Khond, Manne Dora and Mukha Dora etc.
• These indigenous people have their own unique cultural heritage.
• They follow the age old customs and traditions.
• They are still dependent on the forest produce and hunting for their livelihood.
• These tribes have good knowledge about the region and its produce and thereby make a good use of its medicinal plants.

• The Eastern Ghats are older than Western Ghats.
• Their elevation is lower than the western ghats.
• They are discontinuous and dissected by many rivers in comparison to Western ghats.
• The Western and the Eastern ghats meet at the Nilgiri hills.

• Deforestation
• Haphazard mining
• Construction of dams
• Rapid land use changes
• Forest fires
• Temple tourism
• Agricultural and industrial encroachments
• Burn cultivations etc

Correct answer: a