THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: UNESCO's International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has warned that the Western Ghats, which are rich in biodiversity, are in danger due to over-exploitation and that international intervention is needed to protect them.

The Western Ghats, also known as the Sahyadri, is spread over 142 populated taluks in 44 districts of six states, including Kerala. The tragedy of the Western Ghats, the biological resource of these states, lies in the lack of coordination of conservation measures due to the different political administrations.

This is the first time a global report has warned that the Western Ghats should be protected. With this, environmental activists demanded that the Central and State Governments take action. The report was also discussed on social media.

The IUCN World Heritage Outlook - 3 report, released on November 30 on 252 natural habitats in the world, cites the Western Ghats as one of the eight most endangered areas in the world. Without global action, the earth itself would be in danger.

References in the report

The biosphere in the Western Ghats is in critical condition. Road construction, widening of roads, power projects, agricultural activities, encroachment on forest land and overpopulation are destroying the Western Ghats. Governments have formulated clear protection plans. Biological corridors to be protected have also been identified, but no action has been taken. For example, there was a plan to save Arayankavu Corridor from Periyar to Agasthyamala, which was ignored. Due to lack of protection, the climate also changes drastically, even the monsoon season. This will endanger the survival of the species. About 40 per cent of the natural forest cover in the Western Ghats has been destroyed. If not intervened yet, the rest of the forest will be destroyed.

The Western Ghats, a non-equatorial forest area older than the Himalayas, is of global ecological importance. It is home to more than 325 endangered species of fish, flora and fauna. There are 39 rare species of mammals here.