The Chinese government has kicked off the construction of what will become the largest hydropower dam in the world, located in Tibet's Yarlung Tsangpo canyon. The ceremony was led by Chinese Premier Li Qiang, marking a major milestone in a project that has generated serious apprehensions from neighboring countries, notably India and Bangladesh.
In a move that has garnered both national and international scrutiny, the dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo river will exceed the capacity of the current largest dam, the Three Gorges Dam. Estimated at a staggering cost of approximately 1.2 trillion yuan (around $167 billion), Chinese authorities claim it will enhance ecological protection and spur economic growth locally.
However, experts warn that this mega-dam could allow China to control vital water resources that flow into India and Bangladesh. This has led to fears among officials like Pema Khandu, the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, who characterized the project as an "existential threat" to local tribes and their livelihoods. He expressed concerns that the dam could lead to significant water shortages and catastrophic flooding if water was suddenly released.
India's government has previously raised alarms regarding the impact of large-scale dams, urging China to consider the downstream nations’ interests. Amid these tensions, India has plans to establish its own hydropower dam on the Siang river, aiming to shield their regions from possible downstream flooding linked to Chinese operations.
In light of the ongoing concerns, Bangladesh has also reached out to China to gain more insights into the impacts of this massive infrastructure project. The project garners interest beyond its potential energy production; it embodies the complexities of regional relations and the ecological implications of such undertakings.
As construction progresses, the project highlights a delicate balance of power, environmental responsibility, and regional stability, underlining the stakes involved in water control on one of the world's largest rivers.
In a move that has garnered both national and international scrutiny, the dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo river will exceed the capacity of the current largest dam, the Three Gorges Dam. Estimated at a staggering cost of approximately 1.2 trillion yuan (around $167 billion), Chinese authorities claim it will enhance ecological protection and spur economic growth locally.
However, experts warn that this mega-dam could allow China to control vital water resources that flow into India and Bangladesh. This has led to fears among officials like Pema Khandu, the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, who characterized the project as an "existential threat" to local tribes and their livelihoods. He expressed concerns that the dam could lead to significant water shortages and catastrophic flooding if water was suddenly released.
India's government has previously raised alarms regarding the impact of large-scale dams, urging China to consider the downstream nations’ interests. Amid these tensions, India has plans to establish its own hydropower dam on the Siang river, aiming to shield their regions from possible downstream flooding linked to Chinese operations.
In light of the ongoing concerns, Bangladesh has also reached out to China to gain more insights into the impacts of this massive infrastructure project. The project garners interest beyond its potential energy production; it embodies the complexities of regional relations and the ecological implications of such undertakings.
As construction progresses, the project highlights a delicate balance of power, environmental responsibility, and regional stability, underlining the stakes involved in water control on one of the world's largest rivers.
