GUWAHATI: China launched a staunch defence over its decision to build the world’s largest hydropower dam on the Brahmaputra river on Friday, December 27.
ALSO READ: 12-Foot King Cobra Rescued From Garage In Assam's Barak Valley
Despite growing concerns in Assam and neighbouring regions over its potential downstream impact, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning assured that the project, located on the lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo (as the Brahmaputra is known in Tibet), would not adversely affect downstream areas.
Ning emphasised that the dam is part of China’s efforts to develop clean energy and address climate change. “Safeguard measures have been taken for ecological and project security. The hydropower development has undergone decades of in-depth study and will not negatively affect the lower reaches,” she reportedly stated.
However, assurances from Beijing have done little to allay fears in Assam and Bangladesh, where the Brahmaputra’s downstream flow is vital for agriculture and livelihoods.
For Assam, the Brahmaputra serves as a lifeline, supporting agriculture, fisheries, and transport. Experts have warned that any disruption to its natural flow could exacerbate issues like annual floods, erosion, and sedimentation, which already pose significant challenges in the state.
