China’s announcement of a mega dam on the lower reaches of the Yarlung Tsangpo (also called the Brahmaputra in India) has come to India’s notice. Thursday, the Rajya Sabha was informed by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change that all the developments related to the Brahmaputra River are being watched closely and in particular, the government is paying close attention to China’s plans for large hydropower projects on the river.
It is committed to safeguarding national interests; Minister of State for Environment Kirti Vardhan Singh believes in responding to a query by Trinamool Congress MP Sushmita Dev. Nevertheless, he noted that the necessary measures were being taken to handle potential concerns in relation to China’s dam project. India has repeatedly emphasised to Beijing that it is crucial not to cause harm to downstream regions due to upstream activities.
Regular interaction involving special working meetings of the Expert Level Mechanism (ELM) established in 2006, as well as other areas at the diplomatic level, is maintained with China on transborder river-related issues. Singh pointed out that as a lower riparian state, by virtue of having an established user right over the waters of the Brahmaputra. The government has repeatedly urged China to exercise due care, which should protect downstream ecosystems and communities.
India has undertaken Cumulative Impact Assessment and Carrying Capacity Studies on major tributaries of the Brahmaputra in the Northeast to avoid any possible ecological and socio-economic impacts. The objectives of these studies are to formulate a viable strategy for sustainable water management and to evaluate the possible impacts of large hydroelectric projects.
However, the government is equally alert and holding diplomatic and technical dialogues with China to protect India’s water security and environmental integrity.
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