NEW DELHI: Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday sought to calm fears over China's move to build the world's largest dam on the Brahmaputra river, saying there is no immediate reason to worry.
He specified that the Brahmaputra is not dependent on single water source and draws most of its flow from Bhutan, Arunachal Pradesh, and local rainfall.
"I am not immediately worried because Brahmaputra is a mighty river and it is not dependent on a single source (of water)," Sarma told reporters on the sidelines of an event.
Responding to concerns about possible downstream effects on Assam, the chief minister said it is too early to say whether the outcome will be beneficial or harmful.
"Brahmaputra gets most of its waters from Bhutan, Arunachal Pradesh, and the rainwater and other forms of water from our state itself," he added.
Sarma acknowledged that the full implications of the massive Chinese dam, which began construction last week, are still unclear. "The exact impact of the massive dam, the construction of which began last week, is not properly known as different theories are being floated," he said.
The Assam CM also highlighted two conflicting scientific opinions about the potential impact of the dam.
"First -- if Brahmaputra's flow is disturbed by China, then there may be less water and consequently biodiversity will be affected. But there is also a counter view that if less water comes, it will also act as a flood cushioning. So, I don't know which one is correct," he said.
He expressed confidence in the Union government’s handling of the matter. "I am sure that they (Centre) must already be having a discussion with China or will have a discussion with the neighbouring country," he added.
China began building the $167.8 billion hydropower project on July 19 in Nyingchi City, Tibet, close to the border with Arunachal Pradesh. Chinese premier Li Qiang attended the groundbreaking ceremony of what is expected to be the largest infrastructure project in the world -- bigger even than the Three Gorges Dam.
The dam will be built on the lower reaches of the Brahmaputra, known as the Yarlung Zangbo in Tibet. The site lies in one of the rainiest and most seismically active regions of the world and sits along a tectonic plate boundary prone to earthquakes.
According to reports, the project will feature five cascading hydropower stations and generate over 300 billion kWh of electricity annually -- enough to meet the needs of over 300 million people.
The project has raised serious concerns in India and Bangladesh, both downstream countries, as it could give China the ability to regulate the river's flow. In times of tension, this control could be used strategically by releasing or withholding water, potentially causing floods or shortages.
India, too, is constructing a dam on the Brahmaputra in Arunachal Pradesh as part of its efforts to counterbalance China’s control upstream.
He specified that the Brahmaputra is not dependent on single water source and draws most of its flow from Bhutan, Arunachal Pradesh, and local rainfall.
"I am not immediately worried because Brahmaputra is a mighty river and it is not dependent on a single source (of water)," Sarma told reporters on the sidelines of an event.
Responding to concerns about possible downstream effects on Assam, the chief minister said it is too early to say whether the outcome will be beneficial or harmful.
"Brahmaputra gets most of its waters from Bhutan, Arunachal Pradesh, and the rainwater and other forms of water from our state itself," he added.
Sarma acknowledged that the full implications of the massive Chinese dam, which began construction last week, are still unclear. "The exact impact of the massive dam, the construction of which began last week, is not properly known as different theories are being floated," he said.
The Assam CM also highlighted two conflicting scientific opinions about the potential impact of the dam.
"First -- if Brahmaputra's flow is disturbed by China, then there may be less water and consequently biodiversity will be affected. But there is also a counter view that if less water comes, it will also act as a flood cushioning. So, I don't know which one is correct," he said.
He expressed confidence in the Union government’s handling of the matter. "I am sure that they (Centre) must already be having a discussion with China or will have a discussion with the neighbouring country," he added.
China began building the $167.8 billion hydropower project on July 19 in Nyingchi City, Tibet, close to the border with Arunachal Pradesh. Chinese premier Li Qiang attended the groundbreaking ceremony of what is expected to be the largest infrastructure project in the world -- bigger even than the Three Gorges Dam.
The dam will be built on the lower reaches of the Brahmaputra, known as the Yarlung Zangbo in Tibet. The site lies in one of the rainiest and most seismically active regions of the world and sits along a tectonic plate boundary prone to earthquakes.
According to reports, the project will feature five cascading hydropower stations and generate over 300 billion kWh of electricity annually -- enough to meet the needs of over 300 million people.
The project has raised serious concerns in India and Bangladesh, both downstream countries, as it could give China the ability to regulate the river's flow. In times of tension, this control could be used strategically by releasing or withholding water, potentially causing floods or shortages.
India, too, is constructing a dam on the Brahmaputra in Arunachal Pradesh as part of its efforts to counterbalance China’s control upstream.
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