A 2021 photo shows the Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon in New York, China. File | Image source: AFP
Guwahati
Arunachal MP Tapir Pradir Gao said China’s proposed 60,000 MW hydropower project is Yarlung Tsangpo in the upper reaches of the Tibet River, which will not be a dam, but a “water bomb” targeting India and other lower-level riverbank countries.
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When he highlighted the possible devastating effects of China’s Great Bend dam at a workshop, he recalled global water experts, which was due to the June 2000 flood caused by a “similar water bomb” that washed away more than 10 bridges on the Siang River in the central part of its state.
The big curves went beyond the Indian-China border, named because Yarlung Tsangpo turned sharply southward and flowed into Arunachal Pradesh, and Siang met two other men – Dibang and Lohit, forming Brahmaputra in Assam.
“India needs to build a dam on Siang to prevent downstream disasters because water may suddenly be released from the proposed Big Bend dam.
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Villagers and NGOs have been opposed to the 11.2 Gigawatt Siang Upper Multipose project, planned to be near the village of Geku in the Upper Xi’ange area. In April 2022, the Center directed the NHPC to conduct an expected survey to understand the technical, economic, social and environmental feasibility of the project.
Author and Tibetan physician Claude Arpi said that China not only hopes to become a large giant by building a dam in Medog County, but also plans to transfer Yalong Tangerbo’s water to the Yellow River through many tunnels.
River Control
Asian politics and history expert Bertil Lintner said that China invaded Tibet in the 1950s mainly to control giant rivers originating from the “roof of the world” because the Tibetan plateau was called for its height and breadth.
“China has built only 11 huge dams on the Mekong River, which is the lifeline of the other five countries,” he said. He stressed the need for India to reach a water sharing agreement with China, which could lead to bilateral conflicts between major countries.
Ranbir Singh, Chairman of the Brahmaputra Committee, pointed out that the Brahmaputra Basin is the only water-based river basin in India, with the rest lacking water.
“With the case of China’s dam, are we looking for a water-scarce Brahmin River basin?” he asked, calling for a multi-pronged strategy, including international support for the Greater Bend dam and cooperation.
Experts from Nepal and Bhutan have announced concerns about dams built on the Tibetan Plateau. Experts in ecology, water management, international relations, environmental law, engineering, policy development, governance and economics discuss water security, ecological integrity and disaster recovery capabilities in the mountainous areas of Brahmin Island.
A key point in the activities organized by the Asian Integration Organization is the need for India to initiate more scientific research to provide a solid foundation for international support for China’s proposed dams.
publishing – April 8, 2025 05:36 pm ist
