|
|
In the rain forest, high up in the northern end of the Western Ghats Mountains, the trees can grow as tall as a 12-story building. Walking beneath the trees presents a challenge as bamboos, palms, and canes form a dense and almost impenetrable understory. The hiking is easier to the south, where patches of stunted forests are found within extensive grasslands. These are known locally as shola forests. All along this mountain range the terrain is rugged, with peaks reaching 8,860 feet (2,700 meters) on the western side.
What would a rain forest be without rain? The southwest monsoon that blows in from June to September brings more than 98 inches (250 cm) of rainfall to the mountains. The rain fuels the lush growth of a wide variety of plants. The trees are draped with tangled vines, and epiphytes anchor themselves to tree trunks and branches. Orchids are especially plentiful. This narrow strip of rain forest, which extends into the South Western Ghats Mountains, contains about a third of the plants, over three-fourths of the amphibians, and almost half the reptiles known to live in India.
Almost 90 mammal species live in the forests and surrounding grasslands, from Asian elephants to tigers to Malabar squirrels. The largest species of poisonous snake in the world, the king cobra, also makes its home here, along with more than 325 species of birds.
Over half of the natural habitat in this ecoregion has now been cleared. Many of the valleys that supported large stands of forests have been submerged by reservoirs created after hydroelectric dams were built. Expanding cities and agriculture also take their toll on the forest. Mining for iron and manganese are now severe threats. For more information on this ecoregion, go to the World Wildlife Fund Scientific Report. All text by World Wildlife Fund © 2001
|
More Photos
