The Western Ghats is a very old mountain range along India’s western coast, spread across six states. It is older than the Himalayas and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its natural beauty and rich biodiversity. This region is home to over 4,000 plant species and many rare animals like the Nilgiri tahr and lion-tailed macaque. It also supports crops like pepper, cardamom, tea, coffee, and coconut. However, this valuable ecosystem is under serious threat from deforestation, farming, mining, and development.

The Sharavathi Valley Wildlife Sanctuary in the Western Ghats is one of the last remaining homes of the endangered Lion-Tailed Macaque (LTM), with nearly 700 of the world’s remaining 2,500 living there. This forest is not just a peaceful getaway for Bengalureans, but a lifeline that provides clean air, rainfall, and water for millions, including Bengaluru city. However, the proposed 2,000-MW Sharavathi Pumped Storage Project by Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL) threatens to destroy over 279 acres of dense, old-growth forest in this sanctuary.

This forest is home to many rare and endangered animals like tigers, leopards, pangolins, dholes, and the Malabar giant squirrel. Blasting tunnels using hazardous chemicals, cutting nearly 15,000 trees, and sending hundreds of workers into the area for years will damage this fragile ecosystem permanently. For species like the LTM that breed slowly, this could lead to local extinction.

The project also violates the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, which clearly prioritizes conservation over development. Section 29 of the Act strictly prohibits destruction of wildlife habitats, and yet, this project has been approved by the State Board for Wildlife without proper regard for the law.

Furthermore, this region is a moderate to high landslide zone, and removing forest cover increases the risk of disasters, putting lives and communities at risk. The same forests that are under threat help regulate rainfall, store water, and sustain rivers like the Cauvery—on which Bengaluru and many farmers depend.

We must not trade one crisis for another. Destroying forests for energy will only lead to water shortages, landslides, and biodiversity loss. There are safer places for energy projects. We request that the National Board for Wildlife reject this proposal and uphold India’s commitment to protecting its wildlife and natural heritage. Let us protect the Western Ghats—not just for animals, but for our own future.