Kumar Bahukhandi
Chinese President Xi Jinping – Photo: ANI
India and Bangladesh are opposing this project of China. Despite this, China has decided to start this project with full vigor. The Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang himself has announced the start of building the dam on the Brahmaputra River.
Beijing : Despite opposition from India and Bangladesh, China has started construction of the world’s largest dam on the Brahmaputra River in southeastern Tibet. It claims that it will produce 300 billion kilowatts of electricity every year. China’s state news agency Xinhua said that this dam will meet the electricity needs in Tibet. A total investment of 1.2 trillion yuan (167 billion dollars, about 14 lakh crore rupees) is planned on the project. According to experts, China can use the water of the Brahmaputra River as a weapon against India.
India and Bangladesh are opposing this project of China. Despite this, China has decided to start this project with full force. The start of construction of the dam on the Brahmaputra River has been announced by Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang himself. On Saturday, a new company named China Yajiang Group was also officially unveiled. Xinhua reported that this company will be responsible for the construction of this hydroelectric project with five waterfall dams located in Nyingchi city in the south-east of Tibet.
China approved the major policy document in 2020
Let us tell you that China has started the $1.5 billion Jam Hydropower Station in 2015 itself. This is the biggest project in Tibet. This dam project on the Brahmaputra is part of China’s 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25). It is part of the major policy document approved by the Communist Party of China (CPC) in 2020. China describes this project as part of the country’s economic-social development and long-term objectives to be implemented by 2035.
Dam on Brahmaputra will cause tension between India and China
This river is known as Yarlung Zangbo in Tibet. Dam construction has started on this for the project. It will be built in a huge valley near the Himalayas. From this place the Brahmaputra river turns towards Arunachal Pradesh and then Bangladesh. This dam can cause tension between China and India. China claims that it will not have any adverse effect on the lower areas. Chinese environmentalists have long been concerned about the irreversible impact of dam construction in the Brahmaputra Valley, where the river falls to a height of 2,000 metres (6,560 feet) in an area of 50 kilometres (31 miles). The area is a national nature sanctuary and one of the country’s major biodiversity centers.
The dragon can also play a devious trick of releasing huge amounts of water
This project has raised concerns in India, because due to the size and scale of the dam, China will be able to control the water flow of the Brahmaputra. In case of a conflict with the neighboring country after getting rights over the water flow, China can also play a devious trick of releasing huge amounts of water to flood the border areas. According to experts, China can use the water of the Brahmaputra river as a weapon against India. If needed, it can release the water stored in the dam in Tibet without any prior notice. This can cause floods in the lower areas of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam and worsen the situation. Construction of a big dam affects not only residential areas but also forests and wild animals. The flow of the river brings silt which is rich in minerals and is essential for agriculture and stability of coastal areas. Construction of the dam can affect the flow of silt and the biodiversity of Arunachal Pradesh can be affected.
India is also building a dam on the Brahmaputra River
It is also interesting that apart from China, India is also building a dam on the Brahmaputra. However, this project is in Arunachal Pradesh, not Tibet. India and China established an Expert Level Mechanism (ELM) in 2006 to discuss various issues related to trans-border rivers. Under this, China provides scientific information related to the water level of the Brahmaputra River and Sutlej River to India during the flood season.
