India: Western Ghats

Older than the Himalaya mountains, the mountain chain of the Western Ghats represents geomorphic features of immense importance with unique biophysical and ecological processes. The site’s high montane forest ecosystems influence the Indian monsoon weather pattern. Moderating the tropical climate of the region, the site presents one of the best examples of the monsoon system on the planet. It also has an exceptionally high level of biological diversity and endemism and is recognized as one of the world’s eight ‘hottest hotspots’ of biological diversity. The forests of the site include some of the best representatives of non-equatorial tropical evergreen forests anywhere and are home to at least 325 globally threatened flora, fauna, bird, amphibian, reptile and fish species. source:whc.unesco.org

Inscribed: 2012

The following places are declared as World Heritage Sites

Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park

Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve

Thattekad Bird Sanctuary

Mudumalai Tiger Reserve

Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary

Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary

Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary

Periyar Tiger Reserve

Srivilliputtur Wildlife Sanctuary

Eravikulam National Park

Grass Hills National Park

Karian Shola National Park

Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary

Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary

Silent Valley National Park

New Amarambalam Reserved Forest

Mukurthi National Park

Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary

Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary

Talakaveri Wildlife Sanctuary

Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary

Kudremukh National Park

Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary

Kaas Plateau

Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary

Chandoli National Park

Radhanagari Wildlife Sanctuary

Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary

Pambadum Shola National Park

Anamudi Shola National Park

Chimmony Wildlife Sanctuary

Peechi-Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary

Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary

Mathikettan Shola National Park

Kurinjimala Sanctuary

Karimpuzha National Park

Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary

Ranipuram National Park

Postcard 1: Lion Tailed Macaque 

Postcard 2: Nilgiri Thar, Eravikulam National Park.

Postcard 3: Indian Elephant, Madhumalai.