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Gifts of Western Ghats - Rain Forests of India
Western Ghats in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka is home to tea, coffee and spice plantations, reserved forests, and dense tropical jungles. Elephant, Gaur, Sambar, and Wild Boars dwell in the forests. Sloth Bear, Leopard and tiger are also found. The Western Ghats is home to numerous serene hill stations like Munnar, Ponmudi, Waynad, Ooty, Kodaikannal, Coorg etc. The Silent Valley National Park in Kerala is among the last tracts of virgin tropical evergreen forest in India.
The Western Ghats form one of the three watershed of India, feeding the perennial rivers of peninsula India. Important rivers include the Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri. Rivers that flow to the west drain out into the Arabian Sea. These rivers are fast-moving, owing to the short distance travelled and steeper gradient. Important rivers include the Mandovi, Zuari, and Periyar. Many of these rivers feed the backwaters of Kerala and Maharashtra. Rivers that flow eastwards of the Ghats drain into the Bay of Bengal. These are comparatively slower moving and eventually merge into larger rivers such as the Kaveri and Krishna. Smaller rivers include the Chittar, Bhima, Malaprabha, Manimuthar, Kabini, Kallayi, Kundali, Pachaiyar, Pennar, and Tambaraparani.
Fast running rivers and steep slopes have provided various state governments set large hydro-electric projects. There are about major 50 dams along the length of the Western Ghats with the earliest project up in 1900 near Khopoli in Maharashtra. Most notable of these projects are the Koyna Dam in Maharashtra, the Parambikulam Dam in Kerala, and the Linganmakki Dam in Karnataka. The reservoir behind the Koyna Dam, the Shivajisagar Lake, is one of the largest reservoirs in India with a length of 50 km (31 mi) and depth of 80 m (262 ft).
During the monsoon season, numerous streams fed by incessant rain drain off the mountain sides leading to numerous and often spectacular waterfalls. Among the most well known is the Jog Falls, Kunchikal Falls, Sivasamudram Falls, and Lushington Falls.
Historically the Western Ghats were well-covered in dense forests that provided wild foods and natural habitats for native tribal people. Its inaccessibility made it difficult for people from the plains to cultivate the land and build settlements. After the arrival of the British in the area, large swathes of territory were cleared for agricultural plantations and timber.
The area is ecologically sensitive to development and was declared an ecological hotspot in 1988 through the efforts of ecologist Norman Myers. Though this area covers barely five percent of India's land, 27% of all species of higher plants in India (4,000 of 15,000 species) are found here. Almost 1,800 of these are endemic to the region. The range is home to at least 84 amphibian species, 16 bird species, seven mammals, and 1,600 flowering plants which are not found elsewhere in the world.
The Government of India established many protected areas including 2 biosphere reserves, 13 National parks to restrict human access, several wildlife sanctuaries to protect specific endangered species and many Reserve Forests, which are all managed by the forest departments of their respective state to preserve some of the ecoregions still undeveloped. Many National Parks were initially Wildlife Sanctuaries.
In 2006, India applied to the UNESCO MAB for some 7 regions to be listed as a protected World Heritage Site.
Length: 135
Rating: 4.50 (11 ratings)
Tags: "Incredible India" "Western Ghats" Nature "Tea Gardens" "Water Falls" "Paddy Fields" "Hill Stations"
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The Bathing Ghats at Benares
At dawn each morning, many pilgrims [and tourists] descend the ancient steps [ghats] to bathe and go boating on the Holy Ganges River: a 10 minute clip
Length: 627
Rating: 3.80 (11 ratings)
Tags: benares ganges bathing ghats Varanasi
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Western Ghats - Rain forests of India
The Western Ghats are a mountain range in India, run along the western edge of the Deccan Plateau, and separate the plateau from a narrow coastal plain along the Arabian Sea.
They contain the largest patches of moist deciduous forest and rain forest in southern India. These forests are home to diverse fauna and flora, many of them showing affinities to the Malayan region, but are increasingly threatened by human activity. Several national parks and other protected areas lie within the range, but it is estimated that only a small fraction of the Western Ghats remains in pristine condition. The Silent Valley National Park in Kerala is considered by many to be the last tracts of virgin tropical evergreen forest in India.
Biogeographers have long recognized the distinctive plant and animal communities of the Western Ghats. Many of these faunal and floral elements are not found anywhere else in India except in parts of northeastern India. The Western Ghats are also home to many endemic species, and the endemism is especially high in the amphibian and reptilian fauna.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Ghats
Length: 279
Rating: 4.90 (33 ratings)
Tags: Incredible India Western Ghats Rain Forests Kerala Karanataka Tamil Nadu Wilderness Biodiversity Flora Fauna
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Varanasi Ghats
A trip left at main Ghat, Dasaswamedha Ghat, rather than south to Assi Ghat.
Israeli friend Gal accompanies.
Nick
Length: 570
Rating: 5.00 (1 ratings)
Tags: Varanasi Ghats India tripmonk0 travel log
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Ghats of Wayanad. kerala. india
Ghats of wayanad as a no-1 tourist destination of kerala, south india
Nestled among the mountain of the Western Ghats, lies Wayanad, one of the loveliest hill stations of Kerala. This green paradise, located at a distance of about 76 km. from the seashores of Kozhikkod, lies at a height of 700 to 21000 m. above sea level, on the north eastern part of the state. The name, Wayanad, is believed to have been derived from the word, Vayalnadu, meaning the land of paddy fields. The present district of Wayanad was carved out, from the parts of Kozhikkod and Kannur districts. This backward district is perhaps one of the biggest foreign exchange earners of the state, thanks to its cash crops like pepper, cardamom, coffee, tea, spices and other condiments.
Most of the reserve forests in the state are in this district. The loamy soil generally show wide variation in depth and texture with a very high content of organic matter. A large percentage of the population in this region is tribals. The native Adivasis mainly consist of various sects like Paniyas, Kurumas, Adiyars, Kurichyas, Ooralis, Kattunaikkans, etc.
A BRIEF HISTORY
Comprising an area of 2126 sq. km, Wayanad has a powerful history. Historians are of the view that organized human life existed in these parts at least ten centuries before Christ. Countless evidences about New Stone Age civilization can be seen on the hills of Wayanad. The two caves of Ampukuthimala located between Sultan Bathery and Ambalavayal, with pictures painted on their walls and pictorial writings, speak volumes of the bygone era and civilization.
Recorded history of this district is available from the 18th century. In ancient times, this land was ruled by the Rajas of the Veda tribe. In later days, Wayanad came under the rule of the Pazhassi Rajahs of Kottayam royal dynasty. When Hyder Ali became the ruler of Mysore, he invaded Wayanad and brought it under his sway. In the days of Tippu, Wayanad was restored to the Kottayam royal dynasty. But Tippu handed over the entire Malabar region to the British, after the Sreenagapattanam truce he made with them. This was followed by fierce encounters between the British and Kerala Varma Pazhassi Rajah of Kottayam. When the Rajah was driven to the wilderness of Wayanad, he organized the war - like Kurichya tribals into a sort of people's militia and engaged the British in several guerrilla type encounters. In the end, the British could get only the dead body of the Rajah, who killed himself somewhere in the interior of the forest.
Thus, Wayanad fell into the hands of the British and with it came a new turn in the history of this area. The British authorities opened up the plateau for cultivation of tea and other cash crops. Roads were laid across the dangerous slopes of Wayand, from Kozhikkod and Thalassery. These roads were extended to the cities of Mysore and Ootty through Gudallur. Through the roads poured in settlers from all parts of Kerala and the virgin forest lands proved a veritable gold mine with incredible yields of cash crops.
When the State of Kerala came into being in November 1956, Wayanad was part of Kannur district. Later, south Wayanad was added to Kozhikkod district. In order to fulfill the aspirations of the people of Wayanad for development, north Wayanad and south Wayanad were carved out and joined together to form the present district of Wayanad. This district came into being on November 1, 1980 as the 12th district of Kerala.
Length: 173
Rating: 0.00 (0 ratings)
Tags: events cityscape culture destination landmark travel log nature museum adventure cruise
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The amazing Varanasi Ghats in the early morning
The amazing Varanasi Ghats are indescribable. On the banks of the river Ganga the Indians burn their dead, do their laundry, are bathing, carry out rituals and offerings all right next to each other. Daily thousands of pelgrims come to varanasi to bathe in the holy river. If you haven't been there... pack your bags and go for an unforgettable experience and find yourself in a place like no other!
Length: 385
Rating: 4.60 (17 ratings)
Tags: amazing view Varanasi Ghats Ganges Ganga burning washing bathing laundry culture religion india holy river Avontuur stad
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Western Ghats Squirrel (Funambulus tristriatus)
Funambulus tristriatus by the tortoise building in the picnic area within walking distance of the lake at Periyar Tiger Reserve, Thekkady, India. Two individuals induced to come down from trees with a bit of cornflakes from breakfast. These seem younger than the individual in the other film, perhaps siblings. They came down for treats and were not that shy of the camera once they got used to it. I love the chorus at the end as the pair sing together. Jungle birds, especially barbets and grackles abound with crows as well as this is in the vicinity of humans - not thinck jungle. Opportunistic, smart but quite shy jungle squirrels. Filmed during an International Squirrel conference there in March 2006.
Length: 574
Rating: 5.00 (1 ratings)
Tags: Funambulus Periyar Squirrel India tristriatus singing Indian wildlife
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Shocking Asia: Poverty on the Ghats/ Sadhus and Siddhis
This is a clip from a documentary/shockumentary I own called Shocking Asia. This clip shows the devastating poverty that exists in India along the Ghats of the Hindus Holiest River, the Great Mother Ganga (Ganges).
How can this just go ignored by so many people in our Western world? You may think, that we have problems of our own, like the war in Iraq, or the war on terrorism. If, however, we take it upon ourselves to "liberate" a nation from a tyrant dictator, or an oppressive government, then why cant we take it upon ourselves to free a nation of poverty and starvation? Why arent these things important in our personal realities anymore? Perhaps if more time and money was spent on relinquishing and liberating nations from grief stricken poverty, starvation, and suffering, then we wouldnt have our current problems, in the first place.
Length: 155
Rating: 3.90 (14 ratings)
Tags: india starvation hunger ganges ganga shiva kali hindu holy river shocking asia poor
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Journey through the Ghats on 2615(grand trunk(gt) express)
Blasting through the ghats on 2615 grand trunk express(gt)
This was taken on 24th Aug while on my way to jhansi.......the ghats are one of the best part of the journey.......
Length: 73
Rating: 0.00 (0 ratings)
Tags: india indian railway railways gt grand trunk ghats train irfca 2615
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That Diesel Dvd (Ghats)
That Diesel Dvd Ghats
Length: 315
Rating: 4.60 (12 ratings)
Tags: That Diesel Dvd Ghats
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