Congress attacks Maharashtra hydropower project over forest clearance concerns

The Indian National Congress has launched a scathing critique of a pumped-storage hydroelectric project planned in Maharashtra's Western Ghats, expressing deep concern over large-scale tree felling and its potential environmental consequences. The party has characterized the initiative as another ecological disaster, raising questions about the sustainability of the development approach in one of India's most biodiverse regions.

The project has sparked broader debate over multiple competing interests in the Western Ghats. Environmental activists, indigenous communities, and political opposition have highlighted the potential impact on forest ecosystems and the livelihoods of tribal populations who depend on these regions for sustenance and cultural practices. Forest rights advocates have also raised concerns about consultation processes and the adequacy of measures to protect indigenous land claims.

Pumped-storage hydropower projects, which use water stored at height to generate electricity during peak demand periods, have emerged as an attractive renewable energy solution for India. However, their implementation in ecologically fragile areas such as the Western Ghats—home to thousands of endemic species and crucial water sources—continues to generate significant environmental and social friction.

The Maharashtra project represents a broader tension between India's renewable energy expansion goals and conservation imperatives. State authorities and project proponents argue the facility will support the region's power requirements while utilizing green technology. Critics, however, contend that the ecological cost may outweigh benefits, particularly given the Western Ghats' designation as a biodiversity hotspot of global significance.