| Introduction: Contextual Introduction Body: Highlight the economic and environmental implications of this project Conclusion: Way forward |
The Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change has approved the reconstruction of the Teesta-3 dam in Sikkim, despite its destruction in the October 2023 glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF).
Economic Implications
- Energy Security and Commercial Viability – Teesta-3 contributed significantly to India’s hydropower capacity before its destruction. Its reconstruction could help meet growing electricity demands and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
- Employment and Economic Growth – The project is expected to generate jobs in construction and operations, boosting the local economy. However, corruption allegations and past non-compliance with equity requirements raise governance concerns.
- Potential Cost Overruns – Climate-induced disasters increase the likelihood of frequent repairs and maintenance, potentially offsetting economic benefits.
- Downstream Economic Risks – The 2023 GLOF amplified damage due to the dam’s obstruction of floodwaters. If Teesta-3 2.0 fails under future extreme conditions, economic losses in downstream areas could be catastrophic.
Environmental and Sustainability Concerns
- Climate Change as a Risk Multiplier – Rising global temperatures and soot accumulation from industrial centers are accelerating glacial melt, leading to the expansion of glacial lakes. This heightens the risk of future GLOFs, making the region unsuitable for large hydropower projects.
- Hydrological and Geological Vulnerability – The October 2023 disaster resulted from moraine instability at South Lhonak Lake. As per expert reports, existing models fail to fully capture the complexity of erosion, sediment transport, and landslides, leading to inadequate flood risk assessments.
- Ecological Damage – Large hydropower projects alter river flows, threatening aquatic biodiversity, sediment deposition, and riverine ecosystems. The fragile Himalayan terrain is further destabilized by dam construction.
- Social Impact and Livelihoods – The destruction of Teesta-3 in 2023 affected over 80,000 people. A future disaster could worsen socio-economic vulnerabilities, requiring costly disaster relief efforts.
Way Forward
- A Holistic Risk Assessment Framework – Decision-making should prioritize local safety, property protection, and socio-economic resilience over mere commercial viability.
- Alternative Renewable Energy Solutions – Instead of large dams in fragile ecosystems, decentralized solar, wind, and small hydropower projects should be explored.
- Stronger Climate Adaptation Policies – Infrastructure projects in ecologically sensitive zones must incorporate stringent early-warning systems, adaptive engineering, and a well-defined ‘unacceptable risk’ threshold.
Conclusion
The decision to reconstruct Teesta-3 must not be solely based on economic considerations. Given the increasing frequency of climate-induced disasters, policymakers must reassess whether large dams in high-risk zones are sustainable. A shift towards climate-resilient infrastructure and alternative renewable energy sources would be a more prudent long-term strategy.
