Western Ghats Explained | Block Mountains, Rivers, Biodiversity & Kasturirangan | UPSC | KPSC

Western Ghats — one of the most important and most-asked topics in Indian Physical Geography for UPSC and all competitive exams. In this complete one-shot lecture, we cover the Western Ghats from formation to conservation, in a clear, exam-focused, teacher-to-student format — with mnemonics, map logic, and the exact points examiners test. Whether you are preparing for UPSC Prelims, UPSC Mains (GS Paper 1 & GS Paper 3), UPPSC, MPPSC, BPSC, or any State PCS, this video gives you everything you need on the Western Ghats in one place. 📌 TOPICS COVERED IN THIS VIDEO - Location & extent of the Western Ghats (Tapi River to Kanyakumari, 6 states) - Origin & formation — why they are BLOCK mountains, not fold mountains - Western Ghats vs Himalayas — old block mountain vs young fold mountain - Three sections — Northern, Central & Southern Western Ghats - Local names — Sahyadri, Malnad & more - Important peaks — Anamudi, Doddabetta, Kalsubai, Mullayanagiri - Major passes — Thal Ghat, Bhor Ghat, Palghat, Senkottai - Rivers — east-flowing (Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri) vs west-flowing (Mandovi, Periyar, Sharavathi) - Role in the South-West Monsoon — orographic rainfall & rain shadow - Biodiversity — UNESCO World Heritage Site, hottest biodiversity hotspot, endemic species - Conservation — Gadgil Committee, Kasturirangan Committee & Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESA) 🎯 WHY THIS MATTERS FOR YOUR EXAM The Western Ghats appear repeatedly in UPSC Prelims (peaks, passes, rivers, biodiversity hotspots) and in Mains (environment, conservation, ESA debate). This video is built around Previous Year Question patterns so you revise exactly what gets asked — and avoid the common traps (block vs fold mountain, east vs west-flowing rivers, delta vs estuary).