{"id":322419,"date":"2025-01-06T17:34:39","date_gmt":"2025-01-06T12:04:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/?p=322419"},"modified":"2025-01-07T11:34:48","modified_gmt":"2025-01-07T06:04:48","slug":"impacts-of-chinas-mega-dam-project","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/impacts-of-chinas-mega-dam-project\/","title":{"rendered":"Impacts of China\u2019s Mega-Dam Project"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Impacts<\/p>\n

Source<\/strong>: The post Impacts of China\u2019s Mega-Dam Project has been created, based on the article \u201cImplications of China\u2019s mega-dam project \u201d<\/strong> published in \u201cThe Hindu\u201d on 6th January 2025.<\/p>\n

UPSC Syllabus Topic:<\/strong> GS Paper- 2- International relations<\/p>\n

Context<\/strong>: The article delves into the geopolitical, ecological, and socio-economic implications of China\u2019s ambitious mega-dam project<\/strong> on the Brahmaputra River, highlighting its potential impacts on downstream nations like India, Bhutan, and Bangladesh. The proposed 60 GW hydropower project in the Great Bend region of the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR)<\/strong> signals China\u2019s intent to assert dominance over the Brahmaputra basin, a critical transboundary river system originating in Tibet and flowing through multiple riparian countries before draining into the Bay of Bengal. Impacts of China\u2019s Mega-Dam Project<\/strong><\/p>\n

What is China\u2019s mega-dam project, and where is it located?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
    \n
  1. Project Overview<\/strong>: China plans to build a 60 GW mega-hydropower dam in the Great Bend region of Medog county in the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR). This project was included in China\u2019s 14th Five-Year Plan (2020) and approved on December 25, 2024.<\/li>\n
  2. Location<\/strong>: The Brahmaputra River, known as the Yarlung Zangbo in TAR, is a transboundary river spanning China, India, Bhutan, and Bangladesh. The dam is situated at the Great Bend, where the river turns southward to enter India.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Do all riparian countries have water infrastructure projects in the Brahmaputra basin?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
      \n
    1. Yes, all riparian nations (China, India, Bhutan, and Bangladesh) have major water infrastructure projects, including hydropower dams, embankments, irrigation systems, and barrages.<\/li>\n
    2. China<\/strong>: Three Gorges Dam, Zangmu Dam (commissioned in 2015), and the planned Medog mega-dam.<\/li>\n
    3. India<\/strong>: Upper Siang dam, its largest hydropower project.<\/li>\n
    4. Bhutan<\/strong>: Multiple medium and small dams, raising concerns in downstream India and Bangladesh.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      How are nation-states controlling the Brahmaputra river system?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
        \n
      1. Geopolitical Control<\/strong>: Countries view transboundary rivers as resources to be controlled through dams and hydraulic infrastructure, symbolizing sovereignty.<\/li>\n
      2. \u201cWater Wars\u201d Vocabulary<\/strong>: Terms like \u201cwater wars\u201d and \u201cwater bombs\u201d reflect tensions between upstream and downstream nations. For example, China\u2019s mega-dam is seen as a \u201cwater bomb\u201d by India and Bangladesh.<\/li>\n
      3. China\u2019s Strategy<\/strong>: As the upper riparian nation, China has complete control over Tibet\u2019s rivers, leveraging its technological and material capabilities.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        What are the risks for communities along the Brahmaputra river basin?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
          \n
        1. Disruption of Traditional Knowledge<\/strong>: Dams disrupt the natural flow of rivers, rendering communities\u2019 traditional knowledge ineffective.<\/li>\n
        2. Adverse Impacts<\/strong>:\n