South Sahyadris (Southern Ghats)

Does tapping regional springs affect the Western Ghats?
Dr. Jared Buono, hydrologist at NGO Gram Pari, spoke of a project that helped revive springs in the Western Ghats at an event organised by IIT Mumbai and India Water Portal to mark World Water Day. Posted on 31 Mar, 2014 10:08 PM

The Western Ghats are made of up basalt rocks, which were formed from lava flows. These rocks are also known as water buckets as they are able to retain a lot of water. This unique feature helps create springs. At an event organised by IIT Mumbai and India Water Portal to mark World Water Day, Dr. Jared Buono talked about how springs were revived in Panchgani with the help of spring boxes.

World Water Day at IIT-Bombay
A peak at the future: Simulating Coonoor’s water situation
Using computer simulation, Keystone Foundation demonstrates the impact of domestic use, tourism, plantation and farming on the water situation in Coonoor in the Nilgiris. Posted on 23 Dec, 2013 03:40 PM

The Nilgiris have undergone an incredible amount of change in the last 10 years. Coonoor, an area well endowed with natural resources, is the second largest tourist destination here. However, over the last year (2012-13), the town has been reeling under a water crisis [1].

Coonoor Land Use Map
Athirapilly falls under threat
Another proposed power project blurs the lines between cost to environment and need for development. Will it ever cease to be a dichotomy and become a win-win situation for both? Posted on 23 Nov, 2013 07:54 AM

Athirappilly falls is situated 70 km from Kochi city in Kerala's Thrissur district. The 80 ft high falls is a part of the Chalakudy River and originates in the upper reaches of the Sholayar ranges in the Western Ghats. Lush greenery and little streams that cover the winding route up and down to the falls exhilarate and intimidate all at once.

Athirapilly waterfalls Source:Sangfroid, Wikimedia
Water and livelihoods in the Nilgiris – Part II
The Nilgiris district is home to several indigenous people whose livelihood interactions with water have been shaped by the water flows themselves. The people, in turn, have shaped this landscape. Posted on 27 Sep, 2013 04:33 PM

Women of the Toda tribe Source: Google
Water and livelihoods in the Nilgiris - Part I
The state of water in the Nilgiris is closely linked to the land use in the region. Keystone Foundation, which focuses on the development of indigenous communities, analyses the current situation. Posted on 27 Sep, 2013 04:31 PM

Stream flowing through a forest in the Nilgiris
Rare floral diversity in the Western Ghats forests
Many plants are in equal danger of becoming as extinct as some animals. Does anyone care? Posted on 03 May, 2013 02:29 PM

A fluttering butterfly or a dashing cheetah immediately bring vivid images to mind. Does the image of a plant stir us as much? Are we as fascinated watching a flower bloom? Probably not. Maybe that’s why there is such a large focus on endangered animals and birds and not so much on plant species that are dying out.

Biodiversity informatics in India - A bird's eye view
Prarthana Vishal writes of a recent workshop in Bangalore that highlighted the initiatives by the government and research community to map India's biodiversity resources Posted on 24 Mar, 2013 12:28 PM

Biodiversity information management using informatics techniques began in 1970s and since then there have been several initiatives by taxonomists, researchers and curators across the world.

Video documentary on the work done by Dr. Sudarshan for the upliftment of Soliga tribes in BR Hills, Karnataka- A webisode in Chai with Lakshmi
This webisode gives an insight into Dr.Sudarshan's work with the indigenous forest dwellers, Soliga tribes in Biligiriranga Hills, Southern Karnataka. Posted on 20 Feb, 2013 11:47 AM

Source of video: Chai with Lakshmi

Let the Western Ghats be 'damned': A presentation on how dam building affects the ecology and social structure of these biodiversity spots
The western ghats are being relentlessly and systematically dammed. Officials create confusing jargon, find legal loopholes and the environmental procedure is waved off. Posted on 29 Jan, 2013 03:19 PM

These global biodiversity hotspots in the country, extraordinarily rich in plant and animal species, are being submerged in the name of development and growth. An overview of the dams built and proposed in this area.

Videos: Appiko movement led by Pandurang Hegde helps protect and conserve flora and fauna of Western Ghats in Sirsi and Shimoga, Karnataka
This video presents a short look at an ongoing initiative - the Appiko movement led by Pandurang Hegde. Posted on 25 Jan, 2013 08:55 PM

The movement with the active involvement of local community works towards the protection of flora and fauna of Western Ghats, in Shimoga and Sirsi regions of Karnataka.

×