Which one of the following regions of India is now regarded as an ‘ecological hot spot'?

1. The question asks to identify a region of India regarded as an 'ecological hot spot' around 1996. 2. An ecological hot spot (or biodiversity hotspot) is a biogeographic region with significant levels of biodiversity that is threatened by human habitation. 3. Norman Myers introduced the concept, and Conservation International later refined it. Key criteria include high endemism and significant habitat loss. 4. In India, four regions are recognized as global biodiversity hotspots: the Himalayas (covering both Western Himalayas and Eastern Himalayas), the Western Ghats (and Sri Lanka), the Sundaland (includes Nicobar Islands), and the Indo-Burma region (includes parts of North-East India, excluding Assam and Andaman Islands). 5. Among the options provided, both Eastern Himalayas and Western Ghats qualify. However, the Western Ghats are often cited prominently due to their exceptionally high levels of endemism and severe habitat threat, fitting the classic definition applied widely. The term 'ecological hot spot' was strongly associated with the Western Ghats in conservation discourse during that period.