Western Ghats disasters expose environmental risks of major projects: Patkar

Medha Patkar, a prominent environmental and social activist, has sounded an alarm over what she describes as a pattern of environmental destruction in India's Western Ghats, citing recent disasters as cautionary indicators of the region's vulnerability to large-scale interventions.

Patkar has directed particular scrutiny at major infrastructure projects in the ecologically sensitive Western Ghats region, including the Mahadayi river basin project. The activist contends that such schemes pose significant risks to the region's delicate environmental balance and local communities.

The Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage Site spanning over 1,600 kilometres along India's western coast, is recognised as one of the world's most biodiverse regions. The mountain range also serves as a critical water source for millions of residents across multiple states.

Patkar's concerns reflect broader debates about balancing development imperatives with environmental conservation in India. Environmental groups have increasingly questioned the sustainability of major river basin and infrastructure projects, particularly in regions of exceptional ecological value.

The activist's intervention comes as India faces mounting pressure to address both development needs and climate-related environmental challenges, with the Western Ghats emerging as a focal point in discussions about sustainable resource management.