Chinaโs mega-dam project on the Brahmaputra River, particularly at the Great Bend region in Medog County, has significant implications for the Himalayan bioregion and the communities living alongside the river basin. ย Read here to learn more.
On December 25, 2024, China approved the construction of the worldโs largest hydropower project on the Yarlung Tsangpo (or Zangbo) River in Tibet.
On completion, the 60,000 MW project will have the capacity to produce three times the amount of electricity as the worldโs largest hydro project, the Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze in central China.
From Tibet, the Yarlung Tsangpo enters Arunachal Pradesh, where it is known as the Siang. In Assam, it is joined by tributaries such as Dibang and Lohit and is called the Brahmaputra. The river then enters Bangladesh and makes its way to the Bay of Bengal.
Chinaโs mega-dam project
- Capacity: Over three times the size of the Three Gorges Dam, currently the largest dam in the world.
- Location: Built on the Yarlung Zangbo River (Brahmaputra in India) in Tibet, specifically at the “Great Bend,” where the river makes a U-turn before entering Arunachal Pradesh in India.
- Purpose: To generate renewable energy supporting Chinaโs carbon neutrality goals and to promote industrial development and job creation in the underdeveloped Tibetan region.
- Scale: Touted as one of the biggest infrastructure projects globally, showcasing China’s technological prowess.
Potential Benefits:
- Renewable Energy Generation:
- Expected to produce enormous hydropower, aiding Chinaโs transition from fossil fuels.
- Could supply clean energy to millions of households.
- Economic Development:
- Boosts Tibetโs local economy through job creation and infrastructure improvements.
- Positions Tibet as a strategic hub for renewable energy in China.
- Climate Goals: Aligns with Chinaโs pledge to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.
Riparian Countries and Infrastructure Projects
- India:
- Plans include building hydropower projects, such as the Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project, to harness the Brahmaputra’s potential.
- Concerns about upstream Chinese projects have driven India to expedite infrastructure development in Arunachal Pradesh.
- Such projects are aimed at flood control, irrigation, and energy production but could affect water availability downstream.
- Bhutan:
- Focused on smaller hydropower projects to generate revenue through electricity exports to India.
- Bhutan’s projects have a minimal impact on the river’s flow compared to large-scale Chinese or Indian initiatives.
- Bangladesh:
- Dependent on the Brahmaputra for irrigation, fisheries, and water supply.
- Faces significant risks of reduced water flow and sedimentation due to upstream projects.
- China:
- Plans include the construction of the 60 GW mega-dam, one of the largest in the world.
- The project, part of China’s 14th Five-Year Plan, aims to meet its renewable energy goals but raises concerns about water diversion and ecological impact.
Impacts of Chinaโs Mega-Dam
- Downstream Communities:
- Potential alteration of water flow: Reduced flow during dry seasons and increased flood risks during monsoons.
- Sediment trapping: Dams trap sediment that is crucial for maintaining fertile riverbanks downstream.
- Livelihood impacts: Communities dependent on agriculture, fishing, and water resources face significant disruptions.
- Hydropolitical Tensions:
- The unilateral construction of such a large dam without regional consultation exacerbates tensions between China and downstream countries.
- Risk of water being used as a strategic tool in geopolitical conflicts.
- Ecological Concerns:
- Disruption of aquatic ecosystems and migration patterns of fish species.
- Impact on the Himalayan bioregion’s delicate environmental balance.
Importance of Tibetโs River Systems to the Himalayan Bioregion
- Tibet, often called the “Water Tower of Asia,” houses the headwaters of major rivers, including the Brahmaputra, Indus, and Mekong.
- These rivers are crucial for sustaining ecosystems and providing water to over 1.5 billion people across South and Southeast Asia.
- Disruptions to Tibet’s river systems through large-scale infrastructure projects can:
- Accelerate glacial melting and climate change effects.
- Impact biodiversity and vegetation dependent on Himalayan River flows.
Indo-China trans-border rivers
The Expert Level Mechanism (ELM) between China and India, established in 2006, serves as a platform to address issues related to trans-border rivers.
This mechanism facilitates dialogue and cooperation on shared water resources, particularly regarding the Brahmaputra and Sutlej rivers.
- Hydrological Data Sharing
- Chinaโs Role: During the flood season, China shares hydrological data on water flow levels of the Brahmaputra (known as Yarlung Tsangpo in China) and Sutlej
- Purpose: To help India prepare for potential floods and manage water resources effectively.
- Meetings and Cooperation
- Regular meetings allow experts from both sides to discuss water resource management, flood control, and dam construction impacts.
- It acts as a confidence-building measure amid broader geopolitical tensions.
Challenges in Trans-border Water Cooperation:
- Data Sharing Consistency: India has raised concerns about delays or gaps in hydrological data sharing during critical periods.
- Environmental Impact: Large-scale dam projects by both countries may impact ecosystems, river biodiversity, and downstream water availability.
- Geopolitical Tensions: Broader territorial disputes between the two nations can overshadow water cooperation efforts
Way Forward
- Regional Cooperation: Establishing a multilateral water-sharing agreement among riparian countries is critical to mitigate conflicts and ensure equitable water distribution.
- Transparency and Data Sharing: China needs to share hydrological data with downstream nations to build trust and manage water resources effectively.
- Sustainable Development: Hydropower projects should be balanced with environmental conservation and community needs.
- Strengthening Indiaโs Response: India must accelerate its hydropower and water management projects while engaging in diplomatic channels to address concerns with China.
Conclusion
While Chinaโs mega-dam promises immense energy output, it comes at a high cost for downstream nations, potentially destabilizing ecosystems, economies, and regional politics. Collaborative strategies are essential to prevent these projects from becoming a flashpoint for conflict and to ensure sustainable development in the Brahmaputra basin.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. Is China building a dam on the Brahmaputra?
Ans: China on January 6, 2025, reiterated its plan to build the world’s biggest dam over the Brahmaputra River in Tibet near the Indian border, saying the planned project has gone through rigorous scientific verification and will not have any negative impact on downstream countries โ India and Bangladesh.
Q. What is the Three Gorges Dam?
Ans: Three Gorges Dam is a dam on the Yangtze River (Chang Jiang) just west of the city of Yichang in Hubei province, China. When construction of the dam officially began in 1994, it was the largest engineering project in China.ย At the time of its completion in 2006, it was the largest dam structure in the world.
Related articles:
- Chinaโs Lalho Dam Project
- China-Tibet issue
- Resolve Tibet Act 2024
- India-China border disputes
- Dam Safety Act 2021
-Article by Swathi Satish
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