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EYE ON INDIA FEBRUARY 07, 2025 | The Indian Eye 6

DAM ON BRAHMAPUTRA

Concerns in Arunachal and among Tibetans as

China plans the biggest hydroelectric project

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

runachal Pradesh Chief Min- earthquake in Tibet’s Dingri region
ister Pema Khandu is con- is a stark reminder of the natural di-
Acerned about China’s refusal sasters that could follow,” he noted.
to enter into binding international
water treaties and its selective shar- As part of his second round of
ing of hydrological data and suggest-
ed an urgent need for cooperative official visits to Tibetan set-
governance of shared water resourc- tlements in West Bengal and
es in Asia, as per a release by the
CMO. Arunachal Pradesh, the Sikyong
Speaking at the inaugural func- made a significant stop at the
tion of a seminar titled ‘Environment
and Security’ in Itanagar at the Dor- Tezu Dhargyeling Settlement,
jee Khandu Auditorium Hall of the according to the CTA. He met
state Legislative Assembly, the Chief
Minister drew attention of all stake- with local dignitaries and offi-
holders towards the Chinese plan to cials during his day-long tour
construct the world’s largest hydro-
power project on the Yarlung Tsang- and also paid respects to Kyab-
po river, which enters Arunachal je Dzogchen Ganor Rinpoche.
Pradesh as Siang and becomes the
Brahmaputra in Assam before flow-
ing into Bangladesh. Throughout these interactions,
The seminar focused on the en- he expressed gratitude for the con-
vironmental situation in Tibet and its Arunachal CM Pema Khandu (left) and CTA president Penpa Tsering (right) speaking tinued assistance provided to Tibet-
relation to India’s security. He point- at the seminar Photo: Tibet.Net an residents in the area. His engage-
ed that the dam would allow China ments included inspecting projects
to control the timing and volume of initiated by the 16th Kashag and
water flowing downstream, which significant risks to the water security, dependency on Tibet’s rivers and cli- visiting all of the settlement’s camps,
could have devastating effects during ecology, and livelihoods of millions mate patterns, has a significant role including the site of a new camp that
periods of low flow or drought, a of people downstream in Arunachal to play in global environmental con- will accommodate several Tibetan
statement from the release said. Pradesh, Assam, and Bangladesh. servation efforts,” Khandu said. families from Tuting.
“The mighty Siang or the Brah- The potential disruption of water In a related development, Tibet- While addressing the public, he
maputra River would dry-up during flow, flooding, and ecosystem degra- an Government-in-Exile President discussed both completed and ongo-
winters disrupting life in the Siang dation could have far-reaching con- Sikyong Penpa Tsering spoke at the ing initiatives under the 16th Kashag
belt and the plains of Assam,” he sequences on us,” he said. Tezu Dhargyeling Tibetan Settle- and acknowledged the visionary
cautioned. Highlighting that all major rivers ment on January 27, underlining the leadership of Tibetan spiritual lead-
Conversely, according to Khan- of India originate from the Tibetan strategic and geopolitical importance er the Dalai Lama. According to
du, sudden releases of water from Plateau, Khandu was of the opinion of the Tibetan Plateau, according to the CTA, he highlighted the contri-
the dam could cause severe flood- that the Chinese government’s ram- a statement by the Central Tibet Ad- butions of earlier generations of Ti-
ing downstream, particularly during pant exploitation of Tibet’s natural ministration (CTA). betans, who laid the foundation for a
monsoon seasons, displacing com- resources pose a serious threat to the He expressed concerns over Chi- thriving exile community and contin-
munities, destroying crops, and dam- very existence of these river systems, na’s proposed mega-dam project on ue to advocate for Tibetan freedoms
aging infrastructure. upon which millions of Indians de- the Brahmaputra River, stating, “It through the Middle Way Policy.
Furthermore, the dam would al- pend for survival. has serious ecological and strategic Sikyong concluded his visit by
ter the sediment flow, affecting agri- “Tibet is often referred to as the ramifications for riparian communi- thanking the Indian government and
cultural lands that rely on the river’s “Water Tower of Asia,” supplying ties,” according to the CTA. the leadership of Arunachal Pradesh
natural replenishment of nutrients, water to over a billion people in the Highlighting the seismic sen- for their unwavering support of the Ti-
he said. region. Its environmental health is sitivity of the Tibetan Plateau, Si- betan community, the CTA noted. He
“China’s construction of the critical not only to China and India kyong warned of the risks posed by urged Tibetan residents to maintain
world’s largest hydropower dam on but to much of Asia. large-scale construction in the frag- harmonious relations with the local
the Yarlung Tsangpo River poses Therefore, India, given its direct ile region. “The recent devastating population and adhere to local laws.

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