Environmentalists and wildlife experts have raised alarm over a proposed hydroelectric project in the Western Ghats, warning that it could disrupt the natural ecosystem and threaten the Nilgiri Tahr, an endangered mountain ungulate native to the region. The project site reportedly overlaps with critical habitats where the species thrives, particularly in high-altitude grasslands and rocky slopes.

The Nilgiri Tahr, already facing pressure from habitat fragmentation and climate change, could lose vital breeding grounds if construction proceeds. Conservationists argue that the hydroelectric project would lead to deforestation, altered water flow, and human encroachment, further endangering the species and affecting biodiversity in one of India’s most sensitive ecological zones.

Activists are urging authorities to conduct a comprehensive environmental impact assessment (EIA) and explore alternative renewable energy options that do not compromise wildlife corridors. The debate underscores the ongoing challenge of balancing development and ecological preservation in India’s biodiversity hotspots.