Connectivity for large mammals is seriously hampered by linear intrusions within the Western Ghats. Currently, comprehensive assessments of connectivity across the Western Ghats are lacking. However, site-specific studies/reports indicate a lack or poor connectivity for large mammals across roads and railway lines, especially for elephants and tigers in several locations within the Western Ghats. At these locations, not only is the movement of dispersing individuals restricted, but also leads to mortality of animals owing to collision with vehicular traffic.

Various national and international policies currently support the growth in small hydro-power projects as it is assumed that small dams have minimal or no environmental impacts. However, recent studies question this assumption. We aim to gather and assess the broad impacts of extensive small dam development within the Western Ghats, a global biodiversity hotspot that has one of the largest densities of small dams in India.