River Basin Center graduate student Shishir Rao’s research was recently feature in Nature inFocus, as part of the Save Every Drop Series. Rao studies how hydroelectric power (including small dams, which are installed in higher altitude rivers in the Western Ghats impact river biodiversity.

Rao has found the installation of these small hydroelectric projects disrupt migratory species, the diversion of water (which causes other portions of the river to dry up), the fluctuation of water levels, which threaten sensitive species, the accumulation of silt and sediment, which are later released and can suffocate fish. They may also contribute to human-elephant conflicts in neighboring communities.

To read more, check out the article here: https://www.natureinfocus.in/save-every-drop/a-voice-for-our-rivers