The South Western Ghats montane rain forests is an ecoregion in South India, covering the southern portion of the Western Ghats in Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu at elevations from . Annual rainfall in this ecoregion exceeds . Setting The ecoregion is the most species rich in peninsular India, and is home to numerous endemic species. It covers an area of . It is estimated that two-thirds of the original forests have been cleared, and only 3,200 square kilometers, or 15% of the intact area, is protected. The southern portion of the Western Ghats contains the highest peaks in the range, notably Anamudi in Kerala, at 2695 meters elevation. The Ghats intercept the moisture-laden monsoon winds off the Arabian Sea, and the average annual precipitation exceeds 2,800 mm. The northeast monsoon from October to November supplements the June to September southwest monsoon. The South Western Ghats are the wettest portion of peninsular India, and are surrounded by drier ecoregions to the east and north. Protected areas As of 1997, this ecoregion encompassed the following 16 protected areas with an area of : in Karnataka: Talakaveri Wildlife Sanctuary with , Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary with , Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary with in Kerala: Periyar National Park with , Shenduruny Wildlife Sanctuary with , Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary with , Karimpuzha National Park with , Silent Valley National Park with , Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary with , Eravikulam National Park with , Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary with , Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary with in Tamil Nadu: Anamalai Tiger Reserve with , Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve with , Megamalai Wildlife Sanctuary with and Mukurthi National Park with As of 2017, the total size of protected areas within this ecoregion amounted to , equivalent to 27% of the ecoregion's extent. Another 62% is forested but outside protected areas. Several of the protected areas in the northern portion are included within the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, and the Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve covers the southern portion. Flora The cool and moist climate, high rainfall, and variety of microclimates brought about by differences in elevation and exposure supports lush and diverse forests; 35% of the plant species are endemic to the ecoregion. Moist evergreen montane forests are the predominant habitat type. The montane evergreen forests support a great diversity of species ( Animals and plants ). The trees generally form a canopy at 15 to 20 m, and the forests are multistoried and rich