In 2000, businessman Ajit Gulabchand began constructing India's first privately developed city, Lavasa, in the Western Ghats. Designers strove for a mix of natural beauty and stunning architecture, drawing inspiration from Italy’s Portofino. However, accusations of environmental clearance violations and corruption arose, revealing the threat to local endangered species. Visiting now one finds a beautiful but mostly deserted city without many job opportunities. As a result, Lavasa's future is uncertain, despite its potential as a tourist destination.