The dam would allow China to control the timing and volume of water flowing downstream, which could have devastating effects during periods of low flow or drought
Our Bureau
Itanagar (AP)
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu is concerned about China’s refusal to enter into binding international water treaties and its selective sharing of hydrological data and suggested an urgent need for cooperative governance of shared water resources in Asia, as per a release by the CMO.
Speaking at the inaugural function of a seminar titled ‘Environment and Security’ in Itanagar at the Dorjee Khandu Auditorium Hall of the state Legislative Assembly, the Chief Minister drew attention of all stakeholders towards the Chinese plan to construct the world’s largest hydropower project on the Yarlung Tsangpo river, which enters Arunachal Pradesh as Siang and becomes the Brahmaputra in Assam before flowing into Bangladesh.
The seminar focused on the environmental situation in Tibet and its relation to India’s security. He pointed that the dam would allow China to control the timing and volume of water flowing downstream, which could have devastating effects during periods of low flow or drought, a statement from the release said.
“The mighty Siang or the Brahmaputra River would dry-up during winters disrupting life in the Siang belt and the plains of Assam,” he cautioned.
Conversely, according to Khandu, sudden releases of water from the dam could cause severe flooding downstream, particularly during monsoon seasons, displacing communities, destroying crops, and damaging infrastructure.
Furthermore, the dam would alter the sediment flow, affecting agricultural lands that rely on the river’s natural replenishment of nutrients, he said.
“China’s construction of the world’s largest hydropower dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo River poses significant risks to the water security, ecology, and livelihoods of millions of people downstream in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and Bangladesh. The potential disruption of water flow, flooding, and ecosystem degradation could have far-reaching consequences on us,” he said.
Highlighting that all major rivers of India originate from the Tibetan Plateau, Khandu was of the opinion that the Chinese government’s rampant exploitation of Tibet’s natural resources pose a serious threat to the very existence of these river systems, upon which millions of Indians depend for survival.
“Tibet is often referred to as the “Water Tower of Asia,” supplying water to over a billion people in the region. Its environmental health is critical not only to China and India but to much of Asia.
Therefore, India, given its direct dependency on Tibet’s rivers and climate patterns, has a significant role to play in global environmental conservation efforts,” Khandu said.
In a related development, Tibetan Government-in-Exile President Sikyong Penpa Tsering spoke at the Tezu Dhargyeling Tibetan Settlement on January 27, underlining the strategic and geopolitical importance of the Tibetan Plateau, according to a statement by the Central Tibet Administration (CTA).
He expressed concerns over China’s proposed mega-dam project on the Brahmaputra River, stating, “It has serious ecological and strategic ramifications for riparian communities,” according to the CTA.
Highlighting the seismic sensitivity of the Tibetan Plateau, Sikyong warned of the risks posed by large-scale construction in the fragile region. “The recent devastating earthquake in Tibet’s Dingri region is a stark reminder of the natural disasters that could follow,” he noted.
As part of his second round of official visits to Tibetan settlements in West Bengal and Arunachal Pradesh, the Sikyong made a significant stop at the Tezu Dhargyeling Settlement, according to the CTA. He met with local dignitaries and officials during his day-long tour and also paid respects to Kyabje Dzogchen Ganor Rinpoche.
Throughout these interactions, he expressed gratitude for the continued assistance provided to Tibetan residents in the area. His engagements included inspecting projects initiated by the 16th Kashag and visiting all of the settlement’s camps, including the site of a new camp that will accommodate several Tibetan families from Tuting.
While addressing the public, he discussed both completed and ongoing initiatives under the 16th Kashag and acknowledged the visionary leadership of Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama. According to the CTA, he highlighted the contributions of earlier generations of Tibetans, who laid the foundation for a thriving exile community and continue to advocate for Tibetan freedoms through the Middle Way Policy.
Sikyong concluded his visit by thanking the Indian government and the leadership of Arunachal Pradesh for their unwavering support of the Tibetan community, the CTA noted. He urged Tibetan residents to maintain harmonious relations with the local population and adhere to local laws.