Description

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Context:

China has approved the construction of the world's largest hydropower dam stoking concerns about displacement of communities in Tibet and environmental impacts downstream in India and Bangladesh.

Details

China has approved the construction of the world's largest hydroelectric dam on the lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo (Brahmaputra) River on the Tibetan Plateau.

The ambitious project aims to produce 300 billion kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity annually, more than tripling the capacity of the Three Gorges Dam, the current world leader in hydropower.

Brahmaputra river flow

Originating in Tibet as the Yarlung Tsangpo, the Brahmaputra flows through India's Arunachal Pradesh and Assam before entering Bangladesh and emptying into the Bay of Bengal.
As a perennial river, it sustains communities through irrigation, fishing and inland transport.
While it enriches agriculture by depositing fertile alluvial soil, its lower course presents problems with recurring devastating floods in Assam and Bangladesh due to climatic and geographical conditions.

China’s Brahmaputra Dam project

China is building a dam in Medog County, Tibet Autonomous Region, where the Yarlung Tsangpo drops 2,000 meters, creating ideal conditions for hydropower.

The project is part of China's renewable energy initiatives, which aim to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060 while supporting regional development in Tibet.

The $137 billion project is part of China's 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) and long-term goals to 2035.

Scope and significance of the project

The dam is expected to produce up to 60 gigawatts of power, which is three times the capacity of the Three Gorges Dam.
It will generate 300 billion kWh of clean renewable electricity annually, supporting Beijing's clean energy goals and enhancing water security.
The project will bring Tibet 20 billion yuan ($3 billion) annually.

Issues

Agriculture	The dam could retain significant amounts of silt, which is crucial for downstream agriculture. Reduced silt deposits may negatively affect soil fertility in India.
Water Resources	China claims the dam is a run-of-river hydroelectric project. However, experts warn it could reduce downstream water flow during the dry season and exacerbate monsoon flooding.
Potential Use of Water as a Weapon	China's upstream control of the Brahmaputra allows it to influence water flow. During geopolitical tensions, such as the 2017 Doklam standoff, withholding hydrological data raised concerns about weaponization.
Seismological Threats	The Himalayan region's seismic vulnerability poses risks to downstream populations, especially given the scale of infrastructure projects like this dam.
Ecological Impact	The dam threatens the fragile Himalayan ecosystem, which hosts critically endangered species. Climate change, deforestation, and soil erosion could have severe ecological consequences.

About Brahmaputra River System

The Brahmaputra originates as the Tsangpo in the Kailash Mountains near Lake Mansarovar in Tibet.
It travels more than 1,000 km to the east before making a horseshoe bend around the Namcha Barwa peak and entering Arunachal Pradesh as the Siang (or Dihang).
Brahmaputra River: Formed by the confluence of the Siang, Lohit and Dibang rivers in Assam.
Sub-basins: Arunachal Pradesh (Subansiri, Kameng and Bhareli rivers), Assam (Manas, Kopili, Sankosh and Dikhow rivers), Nagaland (Doyang), Meghalaya (Umngot and Kynshi rivers), West Bengal and Sikkim (Teesta).
The Teesta River joins the Jumna (Brahmaputra in Bangladesh) as a right bank tributary.

Source:

REUTERS.COM

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.China has recently approved the construction of the world’s largest hydropower dam, a move that could significantly alter the geopolitical and economic dynamics of the region. How should India and other neighboring countries respond to this development? (250 words).