China is moving forward with determination to build a mega hydroelectric project on the Yarlung Tsangpo River, a work that raises concerns about its impact on fragile ecosystemslocal communities and diplomatic relations in a strategic and sensitive region. That is why the medium The Washington Post made a report on the alerts surrounding the Chinese program.
The Yarlung Tsangpo, known downstream as Brahmaputra, is the protagonist of this monumental work. The river flows from the high plains of the Tibet to India and Bangladeshthus connecting three countries and cultures. The planned dams will be located in a 500-kilometer-long gorge, reaching depths three times those of the Grand Canyon.
The Chinese regime, however, does not provide details about the construction schedule, which adds uncertainty about its immediate viability.
The hydroelectric project in the Yarlung Tsangpo triggers a series of concerns in various sectors. These concerns range from environmental impacts to the threats to local communities and the latent risk of operate in a highly seismic region.
Tibet with its unique biodiversity and fragile ecosystems, is one of the most vulnerable regions on the planet. Activists and human rights groups warn that the megaproject could irreversibly alter the natural landscape, affecting the habitat of endemic species and triggering landslides and mudflows. Are threats are especially critical given that the region is located in one of the most active seismic zones in the world.
A senior engineer at the Sichuan Provincial Geological Bureau (China) warned in 2022 that, although dams are designed to withstand earthquakes, “earthquake-induced landslides and rock flows are often uncontrollable and pose a significant threat to the project”. This geological risk not only compromises the stability of infrastructurebut it can also affect nearby communities and the environment.
Tibetan communities also face potential displacement and cultural loss. In February 2023, protests occurred in Kamtok, a mountainous region on the border between Tibet and Sichuan province, denouncing that one of the planned dams could flood up to six Buddhist monasteries. These buildings house murals dating from the 16th century, considered invaluable cultural heritage.
The non-governmental organization Tibet Watch described in a report that for the first time, Chinese infrastructure projects are affecting “landscapes previously among the least disturbed on Earth.” This transformation disrupts the spiritual connection of communities with their environment, and undermines their traditional way of life.
Building on a river that descends almost 5,500 meters in its course presents unprecedented engineering challenges. The extreme characteristics of Yarlung Tsangpo make traditional solutions difficult, increasing project costs and risks. Although the Chinese regime boasts that the megaproject is designed to the highest standards, Technical details have not yet been revealed, leaving open questions about its feasibility and long-term sustainability.
India expressed repeated concerns about the effects downstream of the Chinese dams. These include the potential impact on water supplies for millions of people and the implications for the state of Arunachal Pradesh, a region that India considers its territory but which China claims as its own. The mistrust between both countries, which have had a border dispute for decades, is amplified by the lack of clear agreements on the shared use of water resources.
In 2020, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China defended its “legitimate” right to build damsarguing that they had already considered downstream impacts. However, progress on the project occurred in parallel with a breakdown in bilateral cooperation on hydrological data, after a sharing agreement expired in 2023 without being renewed. Amit Ranjana researcher at the National University of Singapore, warned that the absence of this agreement makes it difficult to resolve tensions. “When there are good relationships, these problems can be resolved quickly,” Ranjan said.
In addition to the tensions with India, the megaproject poses challenges for Bangladeshanother country that depends on the flow of the Brahmaputra River. Changes in stream flow could negatively affect their ecosystems and agricultural communitiesincreasing pressure on a region already vulnerable to climate change.
