Beijing: Chinese authorities have initiated the construction of what is set to become the world's largest hydropower dam in the Tibetan region, a project that is causing concern in neighboring India and Bangladesh.
According to BBC, Chinese Premier Li Qiang officiated a ceremony marking the commencement of construction on the Yarlung Tsangpo River, a major waterway that traverses the Tibetan plateau and flows into multiple South Asian countries. The project has faced criticism due to its potential impact on millions of people living downstream in India and Bangladesh, as well as on the environment and local Tibetan communities.
A 2020 report by the Lowy Institute, an Australian-based think tank, emphasized that "control over these rivers [in the Tibetan Plateau] effectively gives China a chokehold on India's economy." Further concerns were voiced by Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, who, in an interview with PTI, highlighted the risk of the Siang and Brahmaputra rivers drying up significantly after the dam's completion. He warned of the existential threat posed to local tribes and livelihoods, noting that a sudden release of water could devastate the Siang belt, particularly affecting the Adi tribe and similar groups.
India's federal government has previously raised concerns with China about the dam's potential impacts on downstream communities. In response, India has proposed constructing its own hydropower dam on the Siang River to act as a buffer against sudden water releases from China's dam and to alleviate flooding in affected areas.
China's foreign ministry has previously asserted its "legitimate right" to construct the dam, stating in 2020 that it has considered the downstream impacts. Meanwhile, Bangladesh has also communicated its concerns to China, requesting more information about the project through an official letter sent in February.
The strategic location of the dam in the Tibet Autonomous Region has long attracted Chinese interest due to its immense hydropower potential. Situated in what is claimed to be the world's deepest and longest land canyon, the Yarlung Tsangpo makes a dramatic U-turn around the Namcha Barwa mountain, dropping hundreds of meters in elevation in the process. Earlier reports suggested plans to drill several 20km-long tunnels through the mountain to divert part of the river for the dam.
A recent Xinhua report on Li Qiang's visit indicated that engineers would undertake "straightening" work and divert water through tunnels to construct five cascading power stations. The report also mentioned that the electricity generated by the hydropower dam would primarily be transmitted out of the region, though it would still meet Tibet's energy needs.
China has been leveraging the steep valleys and powerful rivers of the rural west, including Tibetan territories, to build massive dams and hydropower stations to sustain the energy demands of its eastern cities. This development aligns with President Xi Jinping's policy of "xidiandongsong," or "sending western electricity eastwards."
While the Chinese government and state media portray these dams as a beneficial solution for reducing pollution and generating clean energy, activists argue they represent the latest exploitation of Tibetans and their land. Past protests against such projects have been met with government crackdowns, including arrests and beatings, as reported by the BBC. Environmental concerns also persist, with fears over the flooding of biodiversity-rich Tibetan valleys and the risks associated with constructing dams in an earthquake-prone region.