Difference Between Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats

The Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats are two prominent mountain ranges in India, running parallel to the western and eastern coasts of the Indian peninsula, respectively. While both are vital to India’s geography, ecology, and culture, they differ significantly in their geological formation, topography, climate, biodiversity, and ecological importance.

Location and Extent

• The Western Ghats, also known as the Sahyadri Hills, run parallel to the western coast of India, extending from Gujarat in the north through Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and into Tamil Nadu in the south.
• The Eastern Ghats stretch along the eastern coast from Odisha down through Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, parts of Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. Unlike the Western Ghats, the Eastern Ghats are not continuous but rather a series of broken, irregular hills and plateaus cut by rivers.

Geological Characteristics

• The Western Ghats are relatively younger and form a continuous mountain chain with elevations generally ranging between 900 to 1,600 meters. They have a characteristic “treppen-like” or stair-step formation, resembling block mountains. The rock system largely consists of charnockite and basaltic formations due to volcanic activity.
• The Eastern Ghats, in contrast, are much older and extensively eroded, with lower elevations generally between 600 to 900 meters. They consist of ancient crystalline rocks like granites, gneisses, khondalite, and schists formed during the Precambrian and Archean eons. The range is discontinuous, heavily eroded by major east-flowing rivers such as the Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, and Cauvery, which fragment it into distinct hill groups and plateaus.

Topography

• The Western Ghats are characterized by a steep escarpment facing the Arabian Sea and gentle slopes towards the Deccan Plateau in the east. They feature continuous mountain passes such as Bhor Ghat and Thal Ghat, facilitating travel despite the rugged terrain.
• The Eastern Ghats are irregular and broken, consisting of clusters of hills, valleys, and plateaus like the Koraput Plateau and Araku Valley. Their landscape is more dissected due to river erosion, making the Eastern Ghats less imposing than the Western Ghats.

Climate and Rainfall

• The Western Ghats significantly influence the Indian monsoon climate. They intercept the moisture-laden southwest monsoon winds, causing heavy orographic rainfall on the windward western slopes. This results in lush, evergreen forests and distinct wet climatic conditions. The leeward eastern slopes lie in a rain shadow and tend to be drier.
• The Eastern Ghats receive much less rainfall, as they are situated further from the primary monsoon wind direction and do not form a significant barrier. Annual rainfall averages between 600 to 1,000 mm, with a drier climate supporting mostly dry deciduous and thorn forests.

Vegetation and Biodiversity

• The Western Ghats are recognized as one of the world’s eight “hottest” biodiversity hotspots, with dense evergreen tropical forests, including moist deciduous areas. They harbor a vast array of endemic species of flora and fauna, including rare animals like the lion-tailed macaque and Nilgiri tahr. The evergreen forests also support coffee plantations which thrive in the moist climate.
• The Eastern Ghats have less dense forests and a more mixed vegetation type that includes dry deciduous, dry evergreen, thorn scrub, and savannah forests. Though less rich in endemic species compared to the Western Ghats, the Eastern Ghats still sustain significant biodiversity, including several tribal populations and valuable timber species such as mahogany and rosewood. They also feature important wildlife sanctuaries and act as ecological corridors.

Elevation and Peaks

• The highest peak in the Western Ghats is Anamudi in Kerala, standing at 2,695 meters (8,842 feet), often called the “Everest of South India.”
• The Eastern Ghats peak at lower elevations, with Arma Konda in Andhra Pradesh reaching about 1,680 meters (5,512 feet), making them considerably shorter and less imposing than their western counterpart.

Rivers and Drainage

• The Western Ghats are the origin point for several major peninsular rivers such as the Tungabhadra, Krishna, and Godavari; interestingly, many of these rivers flow eastward into the Bay of Bengal despite originating on the western side of the range.
• The Eastern Ghats are crossed and fragmented by significant east-flowing rivers like the Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, and Cauvery, contributing to the discontinuity of the range. These rivers drain directly into the Bay of Bengal.

Economic and Cultural Importance

• The Western Ghats’ rich biodiversity makes the region critical for conservation. It supports agriculture with plantation crops like coffee, tea, and spices due to favorable climate and soil (laterite soil being common).
• The Eastern Ghats support diverse tribal cultures and traditional livelihoods. The region is known for its mineral wealth, including deposits of limestone, bauxite, and iron ore, alongside agricultural activities reliant on irrigation and drier conditions. Important pilgrimage and tourist centers like Tirupati are located here.

Summary Table of Differences

In Conclusion, the Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats represent two distinct mountainous regions with contrasting geological histories, climates, ecosystems, and human interactions. The Western Ghats’ lofty, continuous, and moist mountains contrast with the older, fragmented, and drier hills of the Eastern Ghats, each shaping the landscape and culture of peninsular India in unique ways.