Google’s $1.5 Billion India Data Centre Hits Snag Over Water Scarcity and Wildlife Threats: Report

Tech giant Google’s ambitious $1.5 billion data centre project in India has run into strong resistance as environmental regulators, local communities, and wildlife activists raise alarm over severe water depletion and threats to regional biodiversity.

According to Reuters, the massive infrastructure project, designed to power Google’s expanding cloud network and artificial intelligence operations across South Asia, faces intense scrutiny over its projected ecological footprint.

Massive Water Demands Trigger Local Backlash

At the heart of the dispute is the facility's immense cooling requirement. According to environmental impact assessments submitted to state authorities, the proposed facility will consume millions of litres of water daily to keep its high-density server racks cool, noted the report.

Local farmers and residents in neighboring villages have reportedly expressed deep concern that groundwater extraction on such a scale will dry up local wells, deplete agricultural water tables, and exacerbate existing seasonal drought conditions. Environmental groups argue that siting a water-intensive data hub in an already water-stressed region threatens both local livelihoods and drinking water security.

Wildlife Habitat and Biodiversity Concerns Mount

Beyond water scarcity, conservationists have flagged severe risks to local fauna, noted the report. The planned site sits adjacent to critical wildlife corridors and forest patches home to several protected species.

Activists warn that land clearing, continuous high-decibel industrial noise from diesel generators and cooling units, and light pollution will fragment natural habitats, disrupt animal migration routes, and drive wildlife into surrounding human settlements. Local ecological groups have petitioned regional forest officials to withhold environmental clearances until a comprehensive multi-season biodiversity impact study is conducted.

Google Pledges Sustainable Tech as Approval Hangs in Balance

In response to growing opposition, Google reportedly maintains that the India facility will incorporate advanced closed-loop liquid cooling systems designed to minimise freshwater consumption, alongside investments in local watershed restoration projects. The company has also pledged to power the campus entirely through renewable energy sources.

State regulatory bodies and environmental assessment committees are currently reviewing public objections alongside Google’s proposed mitigation measures. With final environmental approvals on hold, the tech giant faces a delicate balancing act between expanding its cloud infrastructure footprint in India and meeting strict local ecological standards.