Dams in tribal belt of Western Ghats for the Mumbai Metropolitan region: unjustified projects when better options exist
Mumbai Metropolitan Region is planning and building over 12 dams in the ecologically fragile, biodiversity rich Western Ghats region. This is a predominantly tribal belt. By very conservative estimates, these dams will submerge more than 22,000 hectares land, including over 7000 of forests and 750 hectares of Tansa Sanctuary. They will together affect more than one lakh tribals. Are these mega dams the only answer to Mumbai's water problems? Are any sustainable water supply options being studied? Are they even being considered? How large is the footprint of our urban areas? Do we have democracy, equity or justice in our Urban Water Sector? This report explores the affected regions and critically looks at Mumbai's existing water management.