Pumped storage dams: Impact on sacred ecosystems, aquatic sanctuaries in Western Ghats

By Shankar Sharma* 

The South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers, and People has highlighted a concerning narrative regarding the detrimental effects of Pumped Storage Plants (PSPs) on the environment, particularly within the Western Ghats. The alarming proliferation of such projects reflects the Ministry of Power and the Central Electricity Authority's (CEA) pervasive drive to establish numerous PSPs across the country, often at the expense of ecological integrity and community well-being. 

The current discourse surrounding the rapid approval of these PSPs comes at a critical juncture. The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) is reportedly reviewing feedback from states on its recent conservation draft for the Western Ghats, a biodiversity hotspot. 

Concurrently, multiple PSP proposals are under consideration, despite existing concerns about their ecological ramifications. For decades, credible anxieties regarding the negative impacts of dams have flooded national media. Early critiques mainly focused on traditional hydropower projects—typically involving the construction of new dams, reservoirs, and the necessary infrastructure. 

In recent years, however, the emphasis has shifted to PSPs that seek to capitalize on existing hydropower infrastructure by constructing additional dams downstream, thereby amplifying environmental degradation. An illustrative example includes a proposed 2,000 MW PSP in Karnataka, where existing dams already exert significant ecological pressure. 

Despite extensive discourse on environmental and social repercussions associated with hydropower projects, the fundamental need for such infrastructure has seldom been scrutinized. The prevailing decision-making framework within the energy sector lacks rigorous cost-benefit analyses, severely limiting opposition to hydropower initiatives to ecological and social issues alone. Authorities often dismiss these objections, neglecting to acknowledge the potential severity of negative consequences.

The environmental ramifications of PSP projects are alarming, particularly in light of the escalating biodiversity crisis exacerbated by global climate change. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) warns of a "triple planetary crisis"—climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution—that poses profound risks to human well-being and ecosystems. 

Historically, the absence of authoritative scientific evidence regarding the threats posed by biodiversity degradation has facilitated a lack of accountability among decision-makers. However, with the advancements in renewable energy technologies, including solar, wind, and battery energy storage systems (BESS), the justification for new dam-based hydropower plants is increasingly tenuous. The impressive potential of these alternatives—exemplified by projections of millions of gigawatts in solar and wind capacity—should prompt a reevaluation of our energy infrastructure strategies. 

Regrettably, the Ministry of Power plans to escalate hydroelectric capacity from 42 GW to 67 GW by 2031-32, a significant increase accompanied by an even more pronounced expansion of PSP capacity from 4.7 GW to approximately 55 GW. The draft National Electricity Policy indicates a projected need for substantial PSP and BESS integration by 2032. 

If such storage capacity can be achieved with BESS alone—thus minimizing social and environmental costs—why pursue burdensome PSP projects, which threaten ecological integrity? Furthermore, serious questions arise regarding whether we can sustain extensive PSP constructs while accommodating an anticipated surge in renewable capacity over the next two to three decades. 

The experiences of other countries, such as Australia and France, which manage high percentages of renewable power with little to no dam infrastructure, underscore the viability of alternative strategies to enhance grid stability. The projections cited above signal the potential for widespread environmental degradation, particularly within sensitive regions like the Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats, and Himalayas. 

Ongoing projects threaten vast tracts of forest land, with local communities already mobilizing against the detrimental implications of these initiatives, particularly when they encroach upon protected areas. The broader question remains: Can our communities compel authorities to abandon harmful project proposals based on legitimate social and environmental concerns? 

A comprehensive reassessment of national energy policies is imperative in light of the ongoing global climate crisis and diminishing natural resources. Pumped storage facilities inherently lead to extensive ecological disruption, jeopardizing biodiversity and human well-being. 

The urgent call from global leaders, such as UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, highlights the critical nature of these issues and serves as a clarion call for immediate and decisive action. Recent trends indicate alarming patterns of forest land diversion for non-forestry purposes, often within legally protected areas. 

The substantial loss of primary forests, reported between 2014 and 2018, raises significant questions regarding governmental commitment to protecting vital ecosystems. Current rates of environmental clearance threaten to eradicate the remaining natural forests of immense ecological significance within mere decades. 

In conclusion, it is evident that the proposed PSP projects pose serious threats to the environment and public health. The dissonance regarding the operational efficiency of PSPs—typically consuming 25% more energy than they produce—contrasts with claims of their utility for sustainable development. 

Advocacy efforts directed toward the CEA, Ministry of Power, MoEF&CC, and other relevant authorities have so far yielded limited results. There remains an essential role for elite engineering institutions to engage in unbiased, rigorous investigations into national energy strategies. Therefore, it is crucial for civil society groups to unite and advocate for comprehensive reviews of energy policies that prioritize ecological and community health. 

--- 

*Power & Climate Policy Analyst, Karnataka