Guwahati (Assam) [India], April 8 (ANI): Experts from different countries have expressed deep concern at the ‘International Seminar on Ensuring Water Security, Ecological Integrity, and Disaster Resilience’ over China’s proposed “Great Bend Dam” on the Yarlung Tsangpo, which is known as the Brahmaputra in Tibet.
Participating in a daylong seminar titled “Ensuring Water Security, Ecological Integrity, and Disaster Resilience in the Sub-Himalayan Region: The Case of the Brahmaputra”, organized by Northeast’s premier think tank Asian Confluence in Guwahati on Tuesday, author and Tibetologist Claude Arpi said China not only wants to become a power giant by building the dam in Medong County, but it also has plans to divert the water of the Yarlung Tsangpo to the Yellow River through numerous tunnels.
The experts from various fields highlighted the possible devastating downstream impact of the proposed series of dams aimed at producing 60,000 MW at Namche Barwa.
Lok Sabha MP from Arunachal Pradesh and senior BJP leader Tapir Gao said, “It is not going to be a dam, but a ‘water bomb’ to be used against India and other lower riparian countries.”
He reminded of the June 2000 devastating floods caused by a similar ‘water bomb’ that had washed away more than 10 bridges on the Siang River, as the Yarlung Tsangpo is known in Arunachal Pradesh before it becomes the Brahmaputra upon entering Assam.
The Arunachal East MP also expressed support for the proposal to build another dam on the Siang River in Arunachal Pradesh to prevent disasters downstream due to the possibility of sudden water release from the proposed dam at the Great Bend.
Bertil Lintner, an expert on Asian politics and history, highlighted how the Chinese invasion into the Tibetan region in the late 1950s was specifically targeted at the numerous mega rivers which originate in the “Roof of the World.”
“China has constructed 11 mega dams only on the Mekong River, which is the lifeline of five other countries,” he said.
He also underlined the need for India to have a water-sharing agreement with China, the lack of which may lead to “bilateral conflicts” between the two neighbors.
Chairman of the Brahmaputra Board, Dr. Ranbir Singh, pointed out that the Brahmaputra Basin is the only water-surplus river basin in India, with the rest being water-deficient.
“With this dam in China, are we looking at a water-deficient Brahmaputra River Basin?” he wondered.
Dr. Singh also emphasized the need for a multi-pronged strategy, including raising the issue internationally, building global consensus, and collaborating with other stakeholders.
To share best practices from the Mekong region, the seminar featured a conversation between Dr. Ranbir Singh, Chairman of the Brahmaputra Board, and Dr. Truong Hong Tien, Deputy Director General of the Vietnam National Mekong Committee, moderated by former Secretary (East) at the MEA, Ambassador Riva Ganguly Das.
Making a presentation during a technical session, IIT Guwahati’s Prof. Anamika Baruah highlighted how studies have predicted more “dry days” downstream of the Tibetan Plateau, which will instead see more “wet days” due to the numerous dams being constructed in the region.
She noted, however, that there have been no collaborative studies on the issue with China. Making a fervent appeal to raise the issue at different forums, including in Parliament, Prof. Baruah said, “Let’s shape the narrative before it is shaped for us.”
Experts from Nepal and Bhutan also participated in the seminar, along with professionals across the fields of ecology, water resource management, international relations, environmental law, engineering, policy formulation, governance, and economy.
The seminar aimed to foster a collaborative dialogue among governmental agencies, civil society organizations, environmental practitioners, and academicians on the immense challenges posed by the proposed dam in Tibet amidst the looming threat of climate change.
Commenting on the key takeaways of the seminar, Asian Confluence Director Dr. Sabyasachi Dutta said the need of the hour is to initiate more scientific studies from India so that the issue is not carried away by simple media narratives.
“Only such an initiative will help develop solid ground for international support against China’s proposed dam at the Big Bend,” he said.
Dr. Dutta also stated that this initiative aligns with Asian Confluence’s mission to facilitate meaningful dialogue and actionable solutions on rivers and water security in the region. The organization had earlier hosted the third edition of the international NADI Dialogue in Guwahati. (ANI)
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