Construction of Dams by China on the Brahmaputra

 The construction of several dams on the Brahmaputra River on the Chinese side (known as Yalong in China) has become an issue of repeated concern in India. As India and China continue to grow in population and economy amid increasing consumer consumption, both countries are facing water shortages and are vying to develop new projects to overcome these challenges.

Brahmaputra:

♦ It originated with the name Siang or Dihang, and came from the Chemayungdung glacier in the Kailash Mountains near Mansarovar Lake.  It enters India west of Sadiya town in Arunachal Pradesh.

♦ Tributaries: Dibang, Lohit, Siang, BurhiDihing, Tista and Dhansari.

♦ This is a perennial river with some unique characteristics due to its geographical location and main climatic conditions. It is flooded twice a year. One flood was caused by the melting of snow in the Himalayas in summer, and the other was caused by monsoon flows.

♦ Due to climate change and its impact on high and low flows, flooding has increased in frequency and is destructive.

China:

China is home to nearly 20% of the world’s population and only owns 7% of water resources, which is also facing serious pollution caused by rapid industrialization. Compared with the water-stressed areas in the south, China's southern areas are rich in water resources. To solve this problem, China plans to connect the main rivers in these areas through canals, aqueducts and other connection projects to ensure water safety.

For this reason, China has been blocking the Mekong and its tributaries and other rivers, affecting Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. As an upper-class country in Asia, China views these projects as a continuation of its historic tributary system. Smaller countries cannot effectively resist or even play an important role in negotiations.

India:

India has 17% of the world's population and 4% of water. Its water pressure is severe. In summer, most urban areas face water shortages. Most of India’s population lives on the Ganges Plain, where water is available all year round, but summers in the southern and western regions are harsh and dry, and rainfall on the eastern coast is scarce and unstable. India has also proposed an ambitious North-South river connection project. However, it has been criticized for potentially disrupting fragile ecosystems.