Army chief more worried for Bangladesh due to China’s dam project.
Army chief more worried for Bangladesh due to China’s dam project.

Summary

The potential impacts on Bangladesh’s water resources, agriculture, and overall environmental health are significant concerns that require collaborative efforts among India, Bangladesh, and China to ensure sustainable management of the Brahmaputra River system.

NEW DELHI: During the Army Day event in Pune earlier this year, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Upender Dwivedi expressed significant concerns regarding China’s plans to construct a massive hydropower dam on the Brahmaputra River in Tibet. He stated, “I am more worried about Bangladesh because in the lean period, if the water is not released, then they will have the problem of desilting and salinity which will start coming into their shores.”

 

Army chief more worried for Bangladesh due to China’s dam project.
Army chief more worried for Bangladesh due to China’s dam project.

 

China has approved the construction of what is set to be the world’s largest hydropower dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo River in Tibet, known as the Brahmaputra River downstream. This ambitious project aims to generate approximately 300 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, surpassing the output of the current largest Three Gorges Dam by 3 times.

 

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Amid controversies, China defended its plan to build the world’s largest dam on the Brahmaputra river in Tibet, saying the project will not “negatively affect” lower riparian states and that safety issues have been addressed through decades of studies.

General Dwivedi’s concerns are rooted in the potential downstream effects of the dam on Bangladesh, which relies heavily on the Brahmaputra for its water resources. The primary concerns include:

  • Water Flow Regulation: The dam’s ability to control water flow could lead to reduced water availability during lean periods, affecting agriculture, drinking water supplies, and overall livelihoods in Bangladesh.
  • Desilting Issues: The natural sediment flow, which is crucial for maintaining soil fertility in Bangladesh’s delta regions, could be disrupted. This disruption may lead to increased salinity and erosion, adversely affecting agriculture and the environment.
  • Flooding Risks: Alterations in water flow could change flooding patterns, potentially leading to more severe floods or droughts, impacting millions of people in Bangladesh.

 

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India has expressed its concerns to China, urging that the interests of downstream countries, including Bangladesh, be safeguarded. The Indian government emphasizes the need for transparent communication and cooperation to address potential environmental and water resource challenges arising from the dam’s construction.

Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs, said that New Delhi has “established user rights to the waters of the river”, and has “consistently expressed our concerns to the Chinese side over mega projects on rivers in their territory”.

He added that New Delhi has urged Beijing “to ensure that the interests of downstream states of the Brahmaputra are not harmed by activities in upstream areas”, adding that India will “continue to monitor and take necessary measures to protect our interests”.

 

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General Dwivedi’s statement underscores the complex geopolitical and environmental challenges posed by China’s Brahmaputra dam project. The potential impacts on Bangladesh’s water resources, agriculture, and overall environmental health are significant concerns that require collaborative efforts among India, Bangladesh, and China to ensure sustainable management of the Brahmaputra River system.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visited Beijing on 26-27 January. During his visit, both nations agreed to hold an early meeting of the India-China Expert Level Mechanism to discuss the resumption of the provision of hydrological data and other cooperation related to trans-border rivers. This diplomatic engagement highlights the ongoing efforts to ensure that the interests of both India and Bangladesh are safeguarded while fostering cooperation on water resource management in the region.