Kerala’s dream of building a stronger dam instead of Mullaiperiyar Dam has been washed off as the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP) in its report stated that no new dam with large capacity can be built in the ecologically sensitive zone (ESZ).

An official of WGEEP made it clear that the 600 crore proposed dam by Kerala will cause adverse effects on the flora and fauna in the region, especially the Periyar Tiger Reserve. It was also suggested the water level in the Mullaiperiyar dam be reduced by allowing more water downstream.