Why this matters now
Eastern Ghats are tested for: discontinuous nature vs continuous Western Ghats; cut by 4 major rivers (Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri); 4 distinct sections (Northern, Middle, Southern, Southern Eastern Ghats); Arma Konda 1,680 m highest; Mahendragiri 1,501 m + Nilgiris (where Eastern + Western Ghats meet); Shevaroy + Palkonda + Javadi + Seshachalam (Tirupati) ranges; biodiversity (Simlipal + Nallamala + Sathyamangalam tiger reserves); rich bauxite + iron ore deposits in N section.
4 Sections
| Section | Extent | Notable |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Eastern Ghats | West Bengal → Odisha → North AP. Bounded by Mahanadi (N) and Godavari (S). | Mahendragiri (1,501 m) Odisha; Simlipal Tiger Reserve; bauxite-rich (Niyamgiri, Sijimali). |
| Middle Eastern Ghats | Andhra Pradesh between Godavari and Krishna. | Includes Nallamala Hills (Srisailam Tiger Reserve); coal-bearing. |
| Southern Eastern Ghats | South of Krishna; through Tamil Nadu. | Palkonda, Velikonda, Seshachalam ranges; Tirumala-Tirupati (Lord Venkateshwara); Talakona Falls. |
| Tamil Nadu hills | South-most | Shevaroy Hills (Yercaud); Javadi Hills; Kalrayan; Pachaimalai. |
| Nilgiri-Cardamom Junction | South of Kaveri | Eastern + Western Ghats meet at Nilgiris; Doddabetta 2,637 m (highest peak in Nilgiris). |
Geology + Features
- Age: Pre-Cambrian, much older than Western Ghats and Himalayas.
- Rocks: Charnockites (igneous) + Khondalites (metamorphic) + Granitic gneisses.
- Discontinuity: Mahanadi (N), Godavari (Middle), Krishna (S Middle), Kaveri (S) cut across.
- Highest peak: Arma Konda (1,680 m, Visakhapatnam Andhra). Also called Sitamma Konda.
- Other peaks: Mahendragiri 1,501 m; Galikonda 1,643 m AP; Sinkram Gutta 1,620 m AP; Doddabetta 2,637 m TN.
- Plateaus: Mysore Plateau (between Eastern + Western Ghats); Dandakaranya Plateau (Bastar region).
- Coastal plains: Eastern Coastal Plain (Coromandel + Northern Circars + Utkal) is wider than Western Coastal Plain.
Tiger Reserves + National Parks
- Simlipal Tiger Reserve Odisha (UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, 2009).
- Satkosia Tiger Reserve Odisha — Mahanadi gorge.
- Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve AP — largest TR in India by area (3,728 sq km).
- Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve TN.
- Papikonda National Park AP — Godavari gorge.
- Pakhal Wildlife Sanctuary Telangana.
- Kambalakonda WLS AP.
Endangered species: Visakhapatnam Indian giant flying squirrel, Eastern Ghats endemic frogs (Nyctibatrachus). The Niyamgiri Hills (Odisha) controversy: 2013 Gram Sabha rejected Vedanta’s bauxite mining project — landmark for tribal forest rights.
UPSC angle
Know EASTERN GHATS — discontinuous mountain range ~1750 km parallel east coast WB-Odisha border to Tamil Nadu; CUT BY Mahanadi+Godavari+Krishna+Kaveri 4 major rivers; HIGHEST PEAK ARMA KONDA 1680 m (also Sitamma Konda) Visakhapatnam Andhra; SECTIONS: NORTHERN (WB → Odisha → North AP, MAHENDRAGIRI 1501 m Odisha, SIMLIPAL Tiger Reserve UNESCO BR 2009, bauxite Niyamgiri+Sijimali); MIDDLE (AP between Godavari and Krishna, NALLAMALA HILLS Srisailam TR coal-bearing); SOUTHERN (south of Krishna through TN, Palkonda+Velikonda+SESHACHALAM TIRUMALA-TIRUPATI Venkateshwara, Talakona Falls); TAMIL NADU SUB-RANGES (Shevaroy Yercaud+Javadi+Kalrayan+Pachaimalai); NILGIRI-CARDAMOM JUNCTION south Kaveri Eastern+Western Ghats meet, DODDABETTA 2637 m highest Nilgiris; AGE Pre-Cambrian much older than Western Ghats+Himalayas; ROCKS Charnockites (igneous)+Khondalites (metamorphic)+Granitic gneisses; OTHER PEAKS Galikonda 1643 m AP, Sinkram Gutta 1620 m, Doddabetta 2637 m TN; Mysore Plateau between Eastern+Western Ghats, Dandakaranya Plateau Bastar; TIGER RESERVES: Simlipal Odisha + SATKOSIA Mahanadi gorge + NAGARJUNSAGAR-SRISAILAM AP LARGEST TR INDIA 3728 sq km + SATHYAMANGALAM TN + PAPIKONDA NP AP Godavari gorge; NIYAMGIRI HILLS controversy 2013 Gram Sabha rejected Vedanta bauxite (tribal forest rights landmark).
Frequently asked questions
How long are the Eastern Ghats?
~1,750 km from West Bengal-Odisha border to Tamil Nadu — running parallel to the east coast but discontinuous, cut by major peninsular rivers (Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri).
What is the highest peak of the Eastern Ghats?
Arma Konda (also Sitamma Konda) at 1,680 m in Visakhapatnam district, Andhra Pradesh.
Where do the Eastern and Western Ghats meet?
At the Nilgiris — south of the Kaveri River. Doddabetta peak (2,637 m, Tamil Nadu) is the highest point of the Nilgiris.
What is the Niyamgiri case?
In 2013, the Niyamgiri Hills (Eastern Ghats, Odisha) Gram Sabha rejected Vedanta’s bauxite mining project — a landmark for tribal forest rights and the Dongria Kondh community’s ancestral land claims.