Introduction
India is facing a potential water issue because of a new dam China is building in Tibet. China’s Mega Dam Sparks WaterChina’s Mega Dam Sparks Water concerns, as this project could reduce water flow from a major river by up to 85% during the dry months. Indian officials are worried that this change will hurt many people living downstream in India and Bangladesh.
China’s New Dam
In December, China announced plans for the world’s largest hydropower dam on the Yarlung Zangbo River. This river comes from a glacier in Tibet. India is especially concerned, as it believes that China might control water flow and affect its supplies.
India’s government has been thinking about building dams since the early 2000s to manage water from Tibet’s Angsi Glacier. The glacier feeds over 100 million people who depend on the river in China, India, and Bangladesh. Many Indian officials see this new Chinese dam as a threat.
India’s Response
To counteract this threat, India is fast-tracking its own dam project called the Upper Siang Multipurpose Storage Dam. This dam could help control water during the dry season and protect regions like Guwahati, a key city in Assam, from water shortages.
The Upper Siang dam is expected to have a storage capacity of 14 billion cubic meters (BCM). This storage can reduce the water supply impact on Guwahati from 25% to 11% during dry months. If constructed, it may also prevent flooding caused by sudden water releases from the Chinese dam.
Local Concerns
Many people are worried about the effects of the Upper Siang dam on their homes and farms. In Arunachal Pradesh, the Adi community, which has lived in harmony with the land for generations, fears losing their villages. The river nourishes their crops, like cardamom and paddy, which feed their families and educate their children.
- About 16 Adi villages may be submerged by the dam, impacting over 100,000 people.
- Many villagers have set up watch teams to stop workers from accessing the dam site.
- Local leaders are demanding safety and fair compensation before any construction.
Odoni Palo Pabin, an Adi mother, expressed her anger, saying, “We will fight the dam to death.” This resistance shows how crucial the land is to their culture and identity.
Government’s Position
The Indian government aims to reassure citizens while moving forward with the dam project. Arunachal Pradesh’s chief minister spoke of the Chinese dam as a serious threat to water security in the region. The state government has begun discussions about compensation for families displaced by the dam.
NHPC, India’s major hydropower company, plans to invest over $3 million in local education and infrastructure. The hope is that this will help villagers move to new areas while improving their lives.
Challenges Ahead
The path to completing the Upper Siang dam may be challenging. India has a history of local activism against large dam projects. There have been many protests, which have sometimes delayed projects for years.
Even if construction starts on the Upper Siang dam soon, it may take at least a decade to finish. By then, China’s dam could already be operational. This timing is crucial, especially if China decides to release huge amounts of water during the monsoon season. Such a move could be dangerous for India, as it might wash away temporary structures.
International Concerns
Experts also warn about the risks of building large dams in areas like Tibet and Arunachal Pradesh, which can face earthquakes and extreme weather. Sayanangshu Modak, a university expert, highlighted these risks by saying, “These extreme weather events trigger landslides and floods, which create legitimate safety concerns for dam structures.”
Future Discussions
Indian foreign minister S. Jaishankar has raised these water concerns in talks with China. India is trying to ensure that the lives and livelihoods of its people are protected as both nations develop their river resources.
China has stated that its hydropower projects are safe and will not harm downstream countries. They claim long-term communication exists between China, India, and Bangladesh regarding these projects.
Conclusion
The situation remains tense as India works to secure its water resources while addressing the worries of local communities. China’s Mega Dam Sparks Water concerns across the region, making the struggle between ensuring water security and preserving people’s homes a delicate balance that officials must navigate.
As discussions continue, both governments will need to work together, acknowledging that water is essential for millions of lives dependent on these rivers.
