The Latest Breaking News from the Western Ghats

BSI scientists discover 2 new plant species in Western Ghats: Musseanda conferta & Rungia longistachya. Found in Kanyakumari Wildlife Sanctuary & Anamalai regions, they have ornamental potential & medicinal values yet to be studied.

New species of mushroom, Candolleomyces albosquamosus, found in Western Ghats, Kerala. Honey-yellow cap, white stem, grows to 58mm. Morphological & molecular studies confirm new species. Only 35 species of genus Candolleomyces worldwide. Plays important role in forest ecosystem. Specimens deposited in JNTBGRI.

The recently-launched Forest Trees of Central Western Ghats - A Pictorial Field Manual helps to understand and conserve flora found in the Karnataka region of the Western Ghats. The book is available free for in Forest Department offices.

The book elaborates on the habitat, identification, ecology and conservation aspects of the Western Ghats, for students, scientists and forest staff and nature lovers. The book covers nearly 131 trees from low altitude to mid altitude of central Western Ghats.

Leonardo DiCaprio shared a photo of a galaxy frog, an amphibian species endemic to the eastern part of the Western Ghats, taken by Sandeep Das, a researcher and wildlife photographer from Thrissur. Mr. Das was thrilled as DiCaprio shared the abstract of a report on declining amphibians along with the…

In an effort to ex situ conserve the various plant species of the Western Ghats (Sahyadris), the Horticulture Department on Tuesday planted 450 saplings belonging to 132 Western Ghats species at the Lalbagh Botanical Garden. The department aims to create a miniature replica of the ghats at Lalbagh with this…

A decision by the Goa bench of the Bombay High Court to direct the Goa government to set up a tiger sanctuary in the Western Ghats region has evoked mixed reactions and set off a debate on its implications for Karnataka’s Mahadayi project. Some environmentalists believe that the judgement, if…

Alleging rampant illegal sand extraction in villages in the ecologically sensitive area of the Western Ghats, Jansangrama Parishat activist Girish Achar has filed a complaint with the Karnataka Lokayukta against the officers of Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL), Mines and Geology Department, Revenue Department, and the police.

Artist Ragavan Suresh creates scientific watercolour drawings of endemic birds, and endangered , animals, and orchids to draw attention towards conservation

Environmentalist and former member of the Western Ghats Task Force B.M. Kumaraswamy has come down heavily on the Forest Conservation (Amendment) Bill, 2023, stating that it intends to destroy forests rather than conserve them.

The 7,938-acre shola forest that is part of the Western Ghats, recognised as one of the biological hotspots in the world and notified as an ecologically sensitive area by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, has now become a bone of contention between the Forest Department and the Revenue Department.