How do the Western Ghats shape Keralam’s landscape?

The Western Ghats are a defining geographical feature of Keralam, shaping its landscape, climate, and ecology in several fundamental ways:

• Topography and Elevation: The range forms the eastern boundary of the state, characterized by steep seaward slopes that rise abruptly from the coastal plains. It contains significant elevations, including Anamudi, the highest peak in peninsular India.12
• Climate and Hydrology: By intercepting moisture-laden winds from the Arabian Sea, the mountains act as a critical barrier that dictates the state's tropical monsoon climate. This interaction results in heavy annual precipitation, which feeds the state's extensive network of rivers and serves as a primary watershed for the region.23
• Biodiversity: The Ghats are a recognized biodiversity hot spot. Their landscape supports a diverse range of ecosystems, including rainforests, tropical deciduous forests, and rolling grasslands, which provide essential habitats for a vast array of flora and fauna, including endangered species like the lion-tailed macaque and the Nilgiri tahr.24