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NILGIRIS
The Land
The land of the Nilgiris is as diverse as it is captivating, with rolling hills, dense forests, mist covered valleys, and towering peaks, that have been shaped over time by natural forces and human development. It's rich biodiversity and cultural heritage make it one of the most fascinating landscapes in the world.
Sholas
Sholas play a critical role in water regulation for the mountains. During the monsoon they soak up rainfall like a sponge, then slowly release it through the rest of the year, providing constant river flow. When the shola is deforested, the land is unable to retain water and becomes caught in a destructive cycle of monsoon flooding and subsequent drought.
Rivers of the Nilgiris
The Nilgiris is home to several rivers, including the Pykara, Bhavani, and Moyar, all of which play a significant role in the ecological and socio-economic framework of southern India. The Pykara, the largest river in the Nilgiris, and the Moyar are renowned for their contributions to hydro power projects, while the river Bhavani is crucial for irrigation and providing drinking water in Tamil Nadu. However, in recent years, challenges such as deforestation, excessive rainfall, and human interventions like dam construction have posed significant risks to the flow and overall health of these rivers.
Montane Rain Forests
The montane rain forests support the highest level of biodiversity in the Western Ghats. They are especially rich in endemic species, which occur nowhere else on earth. These evergreen forests thrive in areas with high rainfall (more than 2,000 mm/year), mostly along the western escarpment of the ghats.
Moist Deciduous Forests
Like the montane evergreen forests, the moist deciduous forests occur in areas of high rainfall (more than 1,500 mm/year). However as their name implies, these forests contain primarily deciduous species, which lose their leaves seasonally.
Trees of the Deciduous Forests
Trees in the dry deciduous forests grow to a height of 25 metres and are typically shorter than those in the evergreen or moist deciduous forests. The vast majority of plant species lose their leaves during the dry season.
Nilgiri High Ranges
Geographically believed to have formed as a result of domal uplift, the rocks along the High Ranges and the Nilgiris are thought to be over two billion years old. The Nilgiris, an offshoot of the Western Ghats, run east to west and lie perpendicular to the main body of the Sahyadris.
Fire Management
The forest departments of various states regularly burn and maintain fire-breaks in order to avoid the consequences a major accidental fire could cause. These damaging fires are mostly caused by intentional and sometimes unintentional human negligence.
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