- Study was conducted between 1990 and 2020 using data from LANDSAT-8, rainfall records etc.
- Key findings:
- Portions of WGR in Tamil Nadu and Gujarat registered 121% and 119% increase in soil erosion respectively.
- Across whole of WGR, the increase in erosion rate was 94%.
- In absolute terms, Maharashtra had the highest 79 ton per hectare per year soil loss in 2020, while Kerala had the lowest loss.
- Causes identified for erosion: Increasing rainfall erosivity factor (rainfall's potential to cause soil erosion), steep slopes and high rainfall, climate change and unsustainable land use, cultivation of tea, coffee etc.
- Concerns: Threat to biological diversity, agricultural productivity, water quality across WGs.
- Protection measures:
- Gadgil committee and Dr. K. Kasturirangan committee to assess WG’s ecology.
- Western Ghats Natural Heritage Management Committee under Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
- Number of protected areas, like Tiger Reserves, National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, etc.
- About Western Ghats
- About 1,600 km long, they are a chain of mountains running parallel to India’s western coast.
- Spread across six states: Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
Significance of WGs:
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