The Hindu: Published on 6th Jan 2025:
Why in News?
China recently approved the construction of a 60 GW mega-dam at the Great Bend in Medog County, TAR. This hydropower project has been under consideration for decades and was incorporated into China’s 14th Five-Year Plan in 2020. The project's potential to impact downstream nations—India, Bhutan, and Bangladesh—has reignited concerns over transboundary river governance.
The Story So Far:
The Brahmaputra, originating in Tibet as the Yarlung Zangbo, is a vital transboundary river spanning four nations. China, as the uppermost riparian country, has long pursued hydropower projects for energy generation and strategic leverage. The Medog mega-dam is set to become one of the largest hydropower projects globally. Downstream, India plans its own significant project in Upper Siang, while Bhutan focuses on medium and small dams. These projects are driven by energy demands, water security, and geopolitical tensions.
Where is this Project?
The Brahmaputra river basin spans China, India, Bhutan, and Bangladesh, each with planned water infrastructure projects. These include hydropower dams, embankments, and irrigation barrages. The Medog dam, located near the Great Bend where the river sharply turns into India, could significantly impact downstream water flow and monsoon patterns.
World’s Largest Dam:
The proposed Medog dam, with a capacity of 60 GW, could surpass the Three Gorges Dam (22.5 GW) as the largest hydropower project globally. Its strategic location near the Great Bend allows China to harness the immense hydropower potential of the Brahmaputra before it descends into India and Bangladesh.
Dam-Building Race in the Brahmaputra River Basin
A competitive dynamic exists between riparian countries, particularly China and India.
China’s Plans: The Medog dam represents a significant unilateral move to assert control over the Brahmaputra's flow, leveraging its upstream position.
India’s Response: The Upper Siang project aims to counterbalance China’s influence and secure water flow for downstream regions.
Bhutan’s Role: Bhutan focuses on smaller dams, raising concerns in India and Bangladesh about cumulative downstream effects.
None of the riparian states are signatories to the UN Convention on transboundary water governance, exacerbating the potential for disputes.
Risks for Communities Inhabiting the Brahmaputra River Basin:
Ecological Disruption: Mega-dams alter river ecosystems, affecting biodiversity, agro-pastoral communities, and wetland systems.
Water Flow and Monsoons: Reduced perennial flow and altered monsoon patterns due to upstream dams could devastate agrarian livelihoods in India and Bangladesh.
Disasters: Projects in seismically active regions, such as Medog, increase risks of catastrophic dam failures and downstream flooding, as seen in the 1950 Assam-Tibet Earthquake and recent GLOFs.
Loss of Traditional Knowledge: Rapid ecological changes render traditional water management practices ineffective.
Conclusion:
The Brahmaputra river basin’s strategic importance has made it a hotspot for dam-building, reflecting broader geopolitical rivalries. While China leads in unilateral hydropower initiatives, India’s reciprocal strategies risk escalating ecological and human costs. To mitigate these challenges, riparian countries must prioritize cooperative governance and adopt a bioregional framework to protect the Himalayas. By desecuritizing the river basin, nations can ensure ecological sustainability and safeguard vulnerable communities.
This approach underscores the need for inclusive, transboundary water management policies that balance development goals with the long-term health of the Himalayan ecosystem.
