China's approval of the world's largest dam on the Brahmaputra River in Tibet has raised concerns in India and Bangladesh. The dam, costing USD 137 billion, will be built at a huge gorge where the Brahmaputra river makes a U-turn to flow into Arunachal Pradesh and then Bangladesh .
Key Concerns:
- Water Control: China's control over water flow could impact India and Bangladesh, potentially releasing large amounts of water during hostilities.
- Environmental Impact: The dam's construction may disrupt the region's ecosystem and affect biodiversity zones like Kaziranga National Park.
- Geological Risks: The project site is located along a tectonic plate boundary, prone to earthquakes.
India is constructing its own dam on the Brahmaputra River in Arunachal Pradesh.The Expert Level Mechanism (ELM) established in 2006 facilitates discussions on trans-border rivers, including data sharing during flood seasons
China's Objectives: The Brahmaputra dam is part of China's renewable energy initiatives, aiming for carbon neutrality by 2060 and promoting regional development in Tibet . The project is expected to generate over 300 billion kWh of electricity annually, enough to meet the needs of 300 million people.
