Crabs along the Kutch coastline were once abundant, forming a vital part of coastal ecology and local livelihoods. The World Bank–funded Tata Mundra thermal power project has severely disrupted this balance. Its once-through cooling system releases hot effluents into the sea, increasing water temperatures and degrading intertidal habitats where crabs breed and feed. Ash pollution, altered salinity, and habitat destruction have further reduced crab populations. These impacts have directly affected fisherfolk, especially women engaged in crab collection. The decline of crabs signals broader marine ecological stress, exposing how large-scale energy projects undermine biodiversity, livelihoods, and coastal resilience.