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The Western Ghats of India Hill Station Development Kodaikanal (pictured), Ooty, and Mahabaleshwar were once small hill stations. Hill stations have long provided cool respite to visitors from the hot plains. Now, with the growth of the middle class, these towns have evolved into small cities, gobbling up precious habitat once left undisturbed. These new concrete jungles, clogged by vehicles and noisy visitors, exert enormous pressure on the surrounding fragile and beautiful hills of the Western Ghats. < Previous | Back to Thumbnails | Next >   Photos and captions courtesy of Ian Lockwood Up to Top