Shola is the local term for patches of endemic montane forests found in the higher elevations of western Ghats mountain range. They are mainly spread across the south Indian states of Kerala, Tamilnadu and Karnataka. These patches of stunned tropical montane forests are mainly found in the valleys and are usually separated by grasslands. Sholas can be found at elevations of 2000 meters and above sea level.
Shola forests and Shola grasslands are two distinct components of the same ecosystem. Grasslands cover the higher regions while shola forests are limited to the sheltered valleys and lower regions. while looking at the whole ecosystem, majority of the areas are covered by grasslands.

Shola forests exhibit remarkable biodiversity with a diverse range of flora and fauna. These threatened ecosystems are crucial as they are home to numerous unique species including several endemics. Nilgiri Tahr (Nilgiritragus hylocrius) the only mountain goat species found in South India, Lion-tailed macaques, Neelakurinji (Strobilanthus kunthiana) that blooms only in 12 years are some of the popular ones. Sholas and it’s streams are home to a wide variety of reptiles and amphibians including several critically endangered species.

We have already lost most of the shola forests and grasslands to human interventions. During colonial rule, vast areas of sholas and grasslands were cleared for tea plantations. Eucalyptus, Acacia, pine and several exotic trees were also planted in large areas. Thus sholas which covered most of the higher elevations of the Western Ghats, got reduced to small isolated pockets. This reduction and fragmentation of this unique and fragile ecosystem has left a deep negative impact on it’s biodiversity.