Assam:
In a stark warning, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has highlighted the dire consequences of China’s proposed mega dam on the Brahmaputra River, emphasizing that it could render the entire ecosystem fragile and dependent solely on rainfall from neighboring regions.
The Chinese government’s recent approval for the construction of the world’s largest hydropower dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo River, known as the Brahmaputra in India, has sparked significant concern among Indian authorities. Located in the Himalayas in eastern Tibet, this dam is set to generate 60,000 MW of power, but its impact on downstream regions is a major worry.
Sarma, during a media interaction in Guwahati, underscored that India has already communicated its concerns to China. “The Government of India has already conveyed its concerns to the Chinese side. This issue will definitely be raised in the ongoing dialogue process between India and China,” he stated.
The chief minister elaborated on the potential consequences, noting that the dam’s construction could make the Brahmaputra ecosystem highly vulnerable. “If this dam is built, the Brahmaputra ecosystem will become completely fragile. It will dry up and rely solely on the rainfall from Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh,” Sarma warned. He added that if these regions do not receive sufficient rainfall, the Brahmaputra could dry up entirely, posing a severe problem for the region.
Sarma also mentioned that Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has raised this issue with the Central government, highlighting the shared concerns about the dam’s impact. The dam’s potential to disrupt water flow, retain fertile silt, and exacerbate flooding during monsoons are among the key concerns.
This development has once again brought to the forefront the need for a robust framework for managing transboundary rivers and safeguarding the interests of millions dependent on their flow. As India continues to engage diplomatically with China, the focus remains on ensuring that downstream interests are protected and the ecological balance of the Brahmaputra is maintained.
