Difference Between Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats

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Difference Between Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats

The Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats are two major mountain ranges in India. Here is the key difference between Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats:

1. Location and Orientation

Western Ghats
  • Run parallel to the western coast of India.
  • Stretch from Gujarat and Maharashtra in the north, through Goa, Karnataka, and Kerala, to Tamil Nadu in the south.
  • Form a continuous range with few gaps.
Eastern Ghats
  • Run parallel to the eastern coast of India.
  • Stretch from West Bengal in the north, through Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.
  • Discontinuous and broken by river valleys.
2. Elevation and Topography

Western Ghats
  • Higher in elevation compared to the Eastern Ghats.
  • Average elevation is about 1,200 meters (3,937 feet).
  • Includes several peaks above 2,000 meters, such as Anamudi (2,695 meters) and Doddabetta (2,637 meters).
  • More rugged and steep.
Eastern Ghats
  • Lower in elevation.
  • Average elevation is about 600 meters (1,969 feet).
  • Highest peak is Arma Konda (1,680 meters) in Andhra Pradesh.
  • Less steep and more eroded.
3. Climate

Western Ghats
  • Receives heavy rainfall, particularly on the windward side, due to the southwest monsoon.
  • Influences the climate of the western coastal plains, making it humid and tropical.
Eastern Ghats
  • Receives less rainfall compared to the Western Ghats.
  • The region is affected by the northeast monsoon.
  • Climate is relatively drier.
4. Biodiversity

Western Ghats
  • Rich in biodiversity and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • Contains many endemic species of flora and fauna.
  • Dense evergreen and deciduous forests.
Eastern Ghats
  • Less biodiversity compared to the Western Ghats.
  • Contains dry deciduous forests and some patches of moist deciduous forests.
  • Fewer endemic species.
5. Rivers

Western Ghats
  • Source of many major rivers such as the Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri.
  • Rivers generally flow eastward towards the Bay of Bengal.
Eastern Ghats
  • Rivers such as the Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri cut across the range.
  • Rivers flow from the interior to the east coast, draining into the Bay of Bengal.
6. Human Impact

Western Ghats
  • More densely populated.
  • Greater pressure from agricultural activities, deforestation, and urbanization.
  • Significant conservation efforts due to high biodiversity.
Eastern Ghats
  • Less densely populated.
  • Face deforestation and mining activities but less urban pressure compared to the Western Ghats.
  • Conservation efforts are growing but less extensive.
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