Protected areas

Protected areas are special places — like forests, rivers or hills — that are kept safe by the government to protect animals, plants and nature. In these areas, people are not allowed to cut trees or harm animals.

The Western Ghats have over 50 protected areas, such as wildlife sanctuaries, national parks and tiger reserves. They help protect rare animals like the lion-tailed macaque, the tiger, the elephant and the hornbill, and keep the forests and rivers healthy.

Appa tells Shanti about one of them: Silent Valley National Park, a wonderful rainforest in Kerala. Most rainforests get a lot of rain and are usually buzzing with the sound of insects called cicadas. This forest was silent instead — and that gave the valley its name.

Long ago, a dam was planned there, which would have flooded this special forest. But people from all over — villagers, students and scientists — joined together in the 'Save Silent Valley Movement'. Their love for nature helped stop the dam, and today Silent Valley is still a protected forest.