The project, known as the Motuo Hydropower Station, is set to be the world's largest dam and is viewed with apprehension by India and Bangladesh due to its potential influence on water supplies for millions living downstream.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang presided over the groundbreaking ceremony for the $12 billion dam, marking a significant advancement in hydropower that raises alarms about ecological risks and geopolitical tensions. The Yarlung Tsangpo river, flowing through Tibet and into northeastern India and Bangladesh, is critical for these regions.
Concerns have mounted among Indian officials, especially from Arunachal Pradesh, where Chief Minister Pema Khandu warned of possible "existential threats" to local tribes and livelihoods. He indicated uncertainty about whether the river would continue to support downstream communities, given the dam's control over water flow.
India's government has previously expressed its apprehensions regarding such mega-projects and requested China to engage in dialogue to prevent downstream environments and economies from suffering. Additionally, India's plans to construct a dam on the Siang river are seen as a protective measure against the impending changes that the new dam may impose.
China has defended its right to control the river and has publicly affirmed its commitment to consider downstream impacts. However, experts fear that the dam could significantly alter the flow of the Yarlung Tsangpo, potentially leading to water scarcity in vital agricultural areas.
The excavation efforts involve constructing extensive tunnels through the terrain, ultimately allowing for a series of cascading power stations aimed at providing energy to China's eastern cities, while proclaiming environmental benefits and rural prosperity.
Despite the promises of development, activists contest that these projects further exploit Tibetan land and their people, and past governmental crackdowns on dissent reflect ongoing tensions regarding development practices in the region. Environmentalists also raise alarms over biodiversity loss and the risks associated with earthquake-prone landscapes.
As the dam project rapidly progresses, India and Bangladesh remain alert to the broader implications of China's water resource strategies, with hopes that future negotiations may ease regional tensions.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang presided over the groundbreaking ceremony for the $12 billion dam, marking a significant advancement in hydropower that raises alarms about ecological risks and geopolitical tensions. The Yarlung Tsangpo river, flowing through Tibet and into northeastern India and Bangladesh, is critical for these regions.
Concerns have mounted among Indian officials, especially from Arunachal Pradesh, where Chief Minister Pema Khandu warned of possible "existential threats" to local tribes and livelihoods. He indicated uncertainty about whether the river would continue to support downstream communities, given the dam's control over water flow.
India's government has previously expressed its apprehensions regarding such mega-projects and requested China to engage in dialogue to prevent downstream environments and economies from suffering. Additionally, India's plans to construct a dam on the Siang river are seen as a protective measure against the impending changes that the new dam may impose.
China has defended its right to control the river and has publicly affirmed its commitment to consider downstream impacts. However, experts fear that the dam could significantly alter the flow of the Yarlung Tsangpo, potentially leading to water scarcity in vital agricultural areas.
The excavation efforts involve constructing extensive tunnels through the terrain, ultimately allowing for a series of cascading power stations aimed at providing energy to China's eastern cities, while proclaiming environmental benefits and rural prosperity.
Despite the promises of development, activists contest that these projects further exploit Tibetan land and their people, and past governmental crackdowns on dissent reflect ongoing tensions regarding development practices in the region. Environmentalists also raise alarms over biodiversity loss and the risks associated with earthquake-prone landscapes.
As the dam project rapidly progresses, India and Bangladesh remain alert to the broader implications of China's water resource strategies, with hopes that future negotiations may ease regional tensions.
