Tamil Nadu, a southern state in India, boasts a rich tapestry of natural landscapes, and at the heart of this environmental wealth lie the Eastern and Western Ghats. These two distinct mountain ranges have played a pivotal role in shaping the state's forestry and ecological landscape. In this article, we delve into the forestry of Tamil Nadu, with a particular focus on the Eastern and Western Ghats, to explore their diverse ecosystems, unique biodiversity, and the crucial environmental services they provide to the region. Let's embark on a journey through the lush and verdant forests of Tamil Nadu, discovering the treasures they hold within their canopies and undergrowth.
Eastern Ghasts: The Eastern Ghats of Tamil Nadu, located between 10.0° N to 13.0° N and 76.0° E to 80.5° E, form a unique mountain range running parallel to India's east coast. This range serves as the source of many rivers and plays a vital role in the region's ecology. In Tamil Nadu, the Eastern Ghats extend from the Jawadi Hills in the north to the Alagar Hills in the south, covering 13 major hill ranges.
These prominent hill ranges include Jawadi, Elagiri, Shevaroy, Chitteri, Kalrayan, Bodamalai, Kolli, Pachaimalai, Semmalai, Aiyalur, Karandamalai, Sirumalai, and Alagar. The Eastern Ghats region spans across 13 districts within Tamil Nadu, covering an expansive area of 4,100 square kilometers. The hills in this region vary in size, with areas ranging from 70 km² to 1,860 km², and altitudes between 180 meters above mean sea level (MSL) to 1,650 meters above MSL. The climate is characterized by mean minimum and maximum temperatures of 17°C and 33°C, respectively, with an average annual rainfall ranging from 800 to 1600 mm. The major soil types are entisols, inceptisols, and alfisols.
Geologically, the Eastern Ghats consist of charnockite with minor bands of pyroxin granulate and magnetite quartzite. These hills are the origin of many tributaries of perennial rivers like the Pennaiyar, Palar, Vellar, Cauvery, and Vaigai. Despite significant exploitation, the Eastern Ghats still harbor rich biodiversity, including over 960 species of angiosperm and gymnosperm plants. Many endemic, endangered, and medicinally important species can be found in these hills. Covering approximately 9,428 square kilometers in Tamil Nadu, the Western Ghats extend across 13 districts, including Coimbatore, Dharmapuri, Dindigul, Erode, Kanniyakumari, Krishnagiri, Madurai, Tenkasi, Nilgiris, Theni, Tirunelveli, Tiruppur, and Virudhunagar.
Western Ghats: The Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu, situated between 8.15° N to 12.68.0° N and 77.52° E to 77.66° E, represent a continuous mountain range with some notable passes, including Palghat, Shencottah, Aralvaimozhi, and Achankoil. This vast mountain range includes the Nilgiris, Anaimalai Hills, Palani Hills, Cardamom Hills, Varusanadu, Andipatti, and Agasthiyar Hills.
The Western Ghats exhibit a wide range of altitudes, from around 180 meters above mean sea level (MSL) to an impressive 2,637 meters above MSL. The region experiences varying temperatures, with average minimum temperatures between 17°C to 20°C and maximum temperatures ranging from approximately 28°C to 35°C during the warmer months.
These Western Ghats contribute significantly to the ecological diversity and natural beauty of Tamil Nadu, with their lush landscapes and unique flora and fauna.
