Amal Philip and Deepa K. Thomas
Abstract
Human activity poses serious risks to the Western Ghats, a UNESCO hotspot for biodiversity. This study looks at how human activity affects the ecosystem health and biodiversity in this environmentally delicate area. Changes in land use, such as deforestation for plantations, agriculture, and infrastructure development, will be examined in the research. The assessment will focus on how these activities jeopardize endemic species, cause habitat disruption, and fragment ecosystems. Acclaimed for its ability to unite economic growth and conservation, ecotourism is becoming recognized as a potentially bright future for areas in the Western Ghats, known for their abundant biodiversity. These abstract analyses about how the growth of ecotourism has affected the way of life for the locals in the region. It looks at the possible advantages, such generating cash and jobs, as well as the possible disadvantages, including resource pressure and displacement. A UNESCO-designated hotspot for biodiversity, the Western Ghats are home to remarkable endemism and species richness. However, a variety of human activities pose serious challenges to this natural treasure trove. The influence of human pressures on the Western Ghatsâ biodiversity and ecological function is examined in this research. Certain species are on the verge of extinction due to overfishing and poaching. Water sources are contaminated by industrial effluents, agricultural runoff, and overuse of pesticides, which impacts aquatic life and interferes with ecosystem functions. We will investigate the ways in which habitat loss, species decline, and disruption of ecosystem services are caused by deforestation, urbanization, agriculture, and other human-driven processes. The aim is to comprehend how the Western Ghatsâ natural integrity may be preserved while local populations are empowered through ecotourism.