Mountain range designated as a World Heritage Site
The Western Ghats mountain range in India has been designated as a World Heritage Site during the latest session of the World Heritage Committee.
This spectacular 1600km-long mountain range runs along the west coast of India through the states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra and Gujarat and according to Unesco is of the world’s eight “hottest hotspots” of biological diversity.
Older than the Himalayas and home to a montane forest ecosystem, the Ghats is a key influence on the country’s monsoon rains and is also home to an estimated 325 globally-threatened flora, fauna, bird, amphibian, reptile and fish species.
Commenting on the geological marvel’s new status as a World Heritage Site, Unesco said: “The mountain chain of the Western Ghats represents geomorphic features of immense importance with unique biophysical and ecological processes.
“The forests of the site include some of the best representatives of non-equatorial tropical evergreen forests anywhere.”
Written by Nicholas Scott
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