ANI
27 Jul 2021, 10:57 GMT+10
Beijing [China], July 27 (ANI): As China continues with hydropower projects on the Yarlung Tsangpo River, concerns are rising in the lower riparian nations regarding the impact of these projects on the river, which is one of the crucial sources of freshwater for India and Bangladesh.
Yarlung Tsangpo is a lifeline for a significant population in these countries. It originates at the southeast of Mount Kailash and Manasarovar in Tibet and is the upper stream of the Brahmaputra river. It later flows through the South Tibet Valley and Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon before passing through the state of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam in India.
Finally, it flows down into Bangladesh where it is referred to as the Jamuna River. Lower riparian nations both India and Bangladesh are particularly dependent upon the river for power, fishing and irrigation purposes.
Experts believe that they are now under serious threat due to the many small and big hydropower projects rampantly being executed by China.
A Toronto-based think tank International Forum for Rights and Security (IFFRAS) has argued that the construction of these hydropower dams without consideration of upstream and downstream ecosystems and landscapes has a significant economic and environmental bearing on the location of the project, the adjoining and far-away regions as well.
Experts say that the potential to have major political and environmental implications in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam in India, the states that are dependent on the Brahmaputra River, and in the country, Bangladesh.
The think tank said China also sees this hydropower project as an attempt to safeguard its national security and parochially retain its natural sources for its own disposal.
"Admittedly, the location of the hydropower project is such that it is prone to earthquakes and floods caused by landslides. Thus, the project is likely to further add on to the existing miseries of the people downstream of this river basin."Furthermore, the aquatic species of the river which adds to the river's biodiversity are bound to affect by all these activities.
According to the experts, China is working towards its own advantage by exercising complete control and depriving the lower riparian countries, India and Bangladesh of their requisite water supply, particularly during the summers when the water is scarce.
The main issue of lower riparian nations is concern regarding floods. "It is pertinent to note that dams in China would also trap the sediments and deprive the Brahmaputra basin of the much needed silt which is responsible for making the plains in the region fertile. Silt also helps restrain the flow in a way that floods are less destructive and seemingly more controlled," the think tank said. ANI)Get a daily dose of Cambodian Times news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Cambodian Times.
More InformationNEW DELHI, India: The flight data recorder from the crashed Air India plane was found on June 13. This vital discovery may help investigators...
BEIJING, China: A typhoon altered its course and struck Hainan Island, southern China, late on the night of June 13. Typhoon Wutip...
BANFF, Alberta: The recent G7 summit has convened for the second and final day in the picturesque Canadian Rockies amidst escalating...
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa: A key global plan to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 is now in deeper jeopardy after the United...
CALGARY, Alberta, Canada - U.S. President Donald Trump has announced he is leaving the G7 summit after just one day, and after refusing...
HOUSTON, Texas: Crude oil surged to multi-month highs this week, driven by escalating tensions in the Middle East after Israel launched...
London [UK], June 18 (ANI): Team India held a practice session at Headingley, Leeds, on Wednesday ahead of the first Test of the five-match...
Leeds [UK], June 18 (ANI): As Team India gears up for a crucial five-match Test series against England on English soil, the Board of...
Dubai [UAE], June 18 (ANI): The International Cricket Council unveiled the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 schedule on Wednesday, which...
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 18 (ANI): The first game of the day will see the Chennai Bulls square off against the Kalinga Black...
New Delhi [India], June 18 (ANI): Republic of Korea's Kisik Lee is set to be the new head coach of India's national recurve archery...
London [UK], June 18 (ANI): As discussions around India's playing eleven for the first Test against England at Leeds continue, with...