The destroyed houses of Devi and her neighbors in Haat village are now buried in debris from a nearby hydroelectric power plant, leaving behind a scene of devastation. Despite the presence of an important Hindu temple in the area, the village has been heavily impacted by the construction. Devi expressed her dismay at the loss of her home and questioned the type of development that displaces poor families to provide electricity to others. Over 240 households in the village have suffered the same fate due to the construction of the 444-megawatt hydropower project on the Alaknanda river. The World Bank-funded power plant is just one of many hydroelectric projects in India's Himalayan states, aimed at reducing the country's carbon emissions. The government believes that hydropower, along with solar and wind energy, is necessary to achieve India's goal of obtaining half of its energy from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030. Proponents of hydropower argue that it produces large amounts of clean electricity and can be quickly scaled up when solar and wind power projects are unable to meet demand. However, critics, including environmental groups and affected communities, argue that the significant environmental and social costs of hydroelectric projects are difficult to justify. One local resident, Devi, recalled how government officials forced people to sell their land for a hydroelectric project, and those who refused were forcibly removed and had their homes demolished. Residents of Haat who had previously agreed to sell their homes were given a "nominal" compensation of 1 million Indian rupees ($12,887) each, according to homemaker Devi, who now resides in a nearby village with her family. Sandeep Gupta, assistant general manager of the THDC project, stated that the Haat residents had willingly resettled themselves and were fairly compensated. He also mentioned that government agencies were monitoring the project for any environmental harm, with no adverse impact reported so far. The International Energy Agency highlighted the untapped potential of hydropower in a June 2021 report, calling it "the forgotten giant of clean electricity" and recommending countries to include it in their energy mix to achieve net-zero emissions. India currently has 46 gigawatts of installed hydropower capacity, which is only a third of its potential capacity according to government data. In 2019, the government officially recognized hydroelectric projects over 25 MW as a renewable energy source to increase capacity. It became mandatory for power companies to use hydro for a portion of their supply, whereas previously only smaller plants were considered renewable. Arun Kumar, a professor at the Indian Institute of Technology-Roorkee specializing in hydropower and renewable energy, emphasized that the growth of India's hydropower sector goes beyond electricity generation. He highlighted the benefits of hydroelectric dams in providing a reliable water supply for various purposes and mentioned the potential of large projects to stimulate tourism, create jobs, and improve infrastructure in surrounding communities, ultimately enhancing the quality of life in underdeveloped areas. Kumar also serves on the board of the International Hydropower Association based in London. According to Himanshu Thakkar, coordinator of the South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People, it is not economically viable for India to build more hydropower plants when cheaper clean energy options like solar and wind projects are available. Thakkar stated that the cost of installing 1 MW of hydroelectric capacity in India is more than 100 million rupees, which is double the cost of solar or wind-based capacity. He believes that corruption and inadequate regulation are the main reasons why Indian authorities are prioritizing hydropower. Thakkar also expressed concerns about the lack of credible regulatory oversight, which could lead to inflated costs. Additionally, some environmentalists argue that hydropower, despite its reputation as a green energy source, may do more harm than good. According to environmental experts, hydro projects can have detrimental effects on nearby communities by clearing forests, diverting rivers, impeding groundwater recharge, and causing significant earth movement. S.P. Sati, an environmental science professor at the College of Forestry-Ranichauri in Uttarakhand, pointed to the 2013 floods in the state that resulted in approximately 6,000 deaths. A committee appointed by India's Supreme Court found that hydroelectric projects worsened the flood damage by causing rushing water to carry large amounts of debris downstream, leading to the burial of low-lying communities. Additionally, the committee highlighted the potential for landslides or slope failure due to excavation and explosive use during project construction. Sati expressed concerns about the potential negative impact of hydropower on the environment and local communities, emphasizing the importance of considering factors such as terrain sensitivity. Haat village head Rajendra Prasad Hatwal stated that residents would continue to protest and seek compensation from hydropower plant developers for the displacement of families. He also questioned India's heavy reliance on hydropower, citing examples of disruptions in other countries due to climate change-driven droughts. Additionally, he criticized the clearing of thousands of trees for the power plant, noting the contradiction with efforts to save forests to combat climate change. Hatwal found the situation confusing and frustrating.