The Western Ghats are a chain of highlands running along the western edge of the Indian subcontinent, from Mumbai (Bombay) south to the southern tip of the peninsula, through the states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The Western Ghats are an area of exceptional biological diversity and conservation interest, and are "one of the major Tropical Evergreen Forest regions in India" (Rodgers and Panwar, 1988).
A number of famous National Parks and Sanctuaries dot the Ghats, including Eravikulam National Park, Silent Valley National Park and Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve. Near the northern end of the Ghats in Maharashtra state, lie the rugged forests and mountains of Bhimashankar Sanctuary. The sanctuary is small (only about 100 sq. kms.), but it is home to a wide variety of animals including leopard, sambar, barking deer, wild pig, Hanuman langur and Rhesus macaque. The park is famous as the home of a highly endangered subspecies of the Indian Giant Squirrel (Ratufa indica elphistoni).
Location of Bhimashankar, relative to Mumbai
Vista of Bhimashankar Sanctuary
Natural Features
Geology
Cliff face showing successive lava eruptions
Wildlife
Beetles in a forest pool
Flora
Dicrea stylosa
Growing on rock at Gupt Bhimashankar
Thelepaepale ixiocephala
Endemic flowering plant of the Western Ghats
References
Rodgers, W.A. and Panwar, H.S. (1988). Planning a wildlife protected area network in India. 2 vols. Project FO: IND/82/003. FAO, Dehra Dun. 339, 267 pp.