INDIA, Dec. 1 -- A long-term scientific analysis of the Western Ghats has found that the region's forests are los ing vitality even as satellite imagery shows an expan sion in green cover. The study reveals a steady erosion of ecologi cal function in the northern Ghats, where Goa's major rivers, aquifers and biodi versity corridors originate. At a time when the State is witnessing erratic mon soons, water shortages in several talukas and visible stress in its hinterland eco systems, the findings sug gest that conventional can opy assessments may be missing a deeper shift that is already underway. The research was carried out by Sanjay Kumar, Jyothi ka Karkala, Joyal Arya and Dr Rajiv Kumar Chaturvedi of BITS Pilani Goa, who is a co-author...