Concerns Related To China’s Dam Project

Syllabus: GS2/International Relations; Effect of Policies on India’s Interests

Context

• China’s plan to construct the world’s largest hydropower dam on the Brahmaputra River, known as the Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet, has raised significant concerns among downstream countries, particularly India and Bangladesh.

China’s Mega-Dam Project – Capacity: 60 GW (14th Five-Year Plan, for 2021–2025); Three times the capacity of China’s current Three Gorges Dam; 1. China aims to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. – Cost: About $137 Bn. – Location: At the Great Bend, where the Brahmaputra river takes a U-turn, in the Medog county of the Tibetan Autonomous Region. 1. China has previously constructed significant dams like the Three Gorges Dam (Yangtze) and Zangmu Dam (Yarlung Zangbo). Yarlung Tsangpo (Zangbo) River – It originates in Tibet, and 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. 1. The main river does not flow through Bhutan, but 96% of the country’s area is within the basin.

Implications of China’s Mega-Dam Project

Environmental and Ecological Concerns:

• Altered Water Flow and Sediment Reduction: River Brahmaputra carries vast amounts of sediment that fertilize downstream agricultural lands.
  • Chinese dams trap these sediments, reducing soil fertility and affecting farming communities in India and Bangladesh.
• Increased Risk of Flash Floods: Sudden releases of water from Chinese reservoirs could lead to devastating floods in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.
  • There have been instances in the past where unannounced water discharges led to loss of lives and property.
• Biodiversity Loss and Habitat Destruction: River ecosystems, including aquatic species such as the Gangetic dolphin, are under threat due to fluctuating water levels and disrupted breeding cycles.
• Glacial Melt and Climate Change Effects: The Tibetan Plateau, often referred to as the “Third Pole”, is home to the largest volume of ice outside the Arctic and Antarctic. It plays a critical role in the Earth’s cryosphere and influences global climate patterns.
• Seismic Risks: The dam’s location in a seismically active and ecologically fragile Himalayan region raises concerns about potential earthquakes and environmental degradation.
  • Such a massive infrastructure project could increase the risk of landslides and other geological disasters. 

Geopolitical Ramifications:

• India’s Vulnerability: India, which relies on the Brahmaputra for agriculture and drinking water, fears that China could use its control over the river as a strategic weapon, either by restricting water flow or causing artificial floods.
• Legal and Diplomatic Challenges: International laws governing transboundary rivers, such as the UN Convention on the Law of the Non-navigational Uses of International Watercourses (1997), emphasize equitable and reasonable utilization of shared water resources.
  • However, China is not a signatory to this convention, allowing it to exercise unchecked control over these rivers.
  • China and India have the Expert Level Mechanism (ELM) since 2006 for hydrological data sharing, but lack a comprehensive treaty.
• Conflict with Southeast Asian Nations: Countries like Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand, which depend on the Mekong River, have raised similar concerns over reduced water availability due to China’s upstream damming.
• Economic and Social Impact: Large dam projects often lead to forced relocation of local communities.
  • Altered river flows can disrupt irrigation patterns and reduce fish stocks, threatening food security in India and Bangladesh.

India’s Response and Possible Strategies

• Developing Its Own Water Infrastructure: India has been ramping up dam and hydropower projects in Arunachal Pradesh, like the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) to ensure water security and energy generation.
• Strengthening Diplomacy: India has been engaging with Bangladesh and other regional stakeholders to form a united front on transboundary water management.
• Enhancing Satellite Monitoring and Early Warning Systems: Improved satellite surveillance of Chinese dam activities and better flood prediction models can help mitigate risks.
• Exploring Legal Avenues: India could push for regional agreements on water-sharing and seek international arbitration in cases of water disputes.

Source: TH