Sacred River Faces Industrial Transformation
The Siang River, considered sacred by the Adi tribal community in Arunachal Pradesh, is at the center of a heated controversy. India plans to construct its largest dam, the $13.2 billion Siang Upper Multipurpose Project. This initiative aims to offset China’s construction of a colossal dam in Medog county, Tibet, over the Yarlung Zangbo River. Both projects pose significant risks to the fragile Himalayan ecosystem and the communities dependent on the river.
Geo strategic Contest Over Water
India and China are locked in a fierce rivalry over control of transboundary rivers originating in Tibet. The Siang and Yarlung Zangbo rivers are critical lifelines for millions across South Asia. While China’s Medog dam promises to generate unparalleled energy, it also raises concerns over potential water weaponization. India’s countermeasure, the Siang dam, is meant to safeguard against reduced water flows and flash floods. However, experts warn that this tit-for-tat approach could escalate tensions and harm the region’s stability.
Massive Displacement and Local Resistance
India’s dam project threatens to submerge 20 villages entirely and partially flood two dozen more in Arunachal Pradesh. Thousands of Indigenous residents face displacement, losing their homes and livelihoods. The Adi community views the Siang River as sacred, fueling protests against the dam. Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government has deployed paramilitary forces to quell unrest, sparking fears of conflict in the region.
Environmental Fragility and Earthquake Risks
The Himalayan region is one of the most seismically active zones in the world. The construction of massive dams in such a fragile ecosystem amplifies the risk of disasters. The area has experienced devastating earthquakes in the past, with tremors damaging existing hydro dams. Experts caution that large reservoirs in an earthquake-prone zone could lead to catastrophic failures, endangering millions downstream.
Global Implications for Water Security
The rivalry between India and China extends beyond their borders, directly impacting Bangladesh. As a lower riparian country, Bangladesh relies heavily on the Brahmaputra for its water needs. Disruptions in water flow or sediment balance caused by the dams could exacerbate erosion, flooding, and loss of arable land. This would jeopardize the livelihoods of millions living along the riverbanks.
Bangladesh’s new government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, has distanced itself from India, leaving no coordinated effort to counter China’s dominance over Himalayan water resources. Analysts argue that a basin-wide agreement involving all stakeholders is essential to mitigate the adverse effects.
The Need for Cooperation
Neither India nor China has signed the UN’s international watercourses convention, which regulates the shared use of freshwater resources. This lack of a binding agreement fuels distrust and complicates collaboration among member countries. The current framework for data sharing between India and China is fragile, with past military standoffs disrupting communication.
Experts stress the importance of joint environmental impact assessments and transparent feasibility studies. Collaborative dialogue, rather than unilateral actions, it is crucial to addressing the challenges posed by these mega-dams.
A Ticking Clock for Regional Stability
The Brahmaputra basin, home to millions of people and diverse ecosystems, is at a tipping point. India’s and China’s competing dam projects risk creating long-term environmental, social, and geopolitical consequences. Collaborative dialogue, rather than unilateral actions, is crucial to addressing the challenges posed by these mega-dams. Without a unified approach, the South Asian region faces an uncertain future, marked by water insecurity and heightened tensions.
As the clock ticks, the need for sustainable solutions and international cooperation becomes ever more urgent. The sacred rivers of the Himalayas hold the power to unite or divide the nations that rely on them. The choice lies in the hands of their leaders.
