Chinese authorities have commenced work on the Yarlung Tsangpo river, aiming to build what would become the world's largest hydropower dam, a move that has provoked significant alarm from neighboring India and Bangladesh. At a ceremony presided over by Chinese Premier Li Qiang, this ambitious project in Tibetan territory is marked by fears of its far-reaching consequences on communities and environments downstream.
The Yarlung Tsangpo, which flows not only through the Tibetan plateau but also into India and Bangladesh, is critical for millions of lives dependent on its waters. Experts are voicing concerns about the potential for China to control or divert these trans-border river systems, impacting states like Arunachal Pradesh and Assam in India, as well as the Siang and Brahmaputra rivers in Bangladesh. A 2020 report from the Lowy Institute highlighted that such control would effectively grant Beijing leverage over India's economy through water management.
Arunachal Pradesh's Chief Minister, Pema Khandu, sounded alarm bells in an interview, arguing that the dam could fundamentally undermine the existence of local tribes and their ways of life. "If water is suddenly released, our entire Siang belt could be devastated," he warned, emphasizing the risks posed particularly to indigenous communities like the Adi tribe. The fears of a "water bomb" event—which could lead to devastating floods—reflect a deeper anxiety about loss of land, livelihood, and lives.
India has expressed its apprehensions directly to China, advocating for the necessity of acknowledging and safeguarding the interests of downstream communities during the dam's construction. In response, Chinese officials asserted their right to develop the river while indicating awareness of potential downstream impacts.
Similarly, Bangladesh's government has reached out to China, seeking clarity and more information about the dam's implications for its water security amidst growing unease. The Yarlung Tsangpo river passes through a region renowned for its unique biodiversity and geological complexity, where the new dam will alter natural water flows.
The proposed site for the dam, located in what is claimed to be the world’s largest canyon, is an area that China believes can significantly contribute to its electricity supply. Nevertheless, critics argue that these projects exemplify how Beijing's ambitions can exploit Tibetan lands and communities. Historical precedents of dissent have met with strong governmental crackdowns—recent protests against another dam in the region resulted in arrests and violence against demonstrators.
Concerns also extend to environmental stability, given the potential ecological ramifications including flooding biodiversity-rich valleys and the seismic risks posed by constructing dams in earthquake-prone areas. The situation calls for urgent discussions on the balance between development and the rights of local communities, environmental sustainability, and transnational cooperation in water management.
