In a bold assertion of sovereignty and security, Arunachal Pradesh Water Transport Minister Ojing Tasing recently defended the state's decision to construct an 11,000 MW hydroelectric project on the Siang River, despite fierce opposition from anti-mega dam activists and certain non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The project, envisioned as the largest of its kind in North-East India, has sparked debate across the nation. While its potential for power generation is significant, Tasing emphasized that the dam's primary purpose transcends economic benefits, aiming instead to safeguard India against looming threats from China's massive hydropower ambitions on the Yarlung Tsangpo, known downstream as the Brahmaputra.
China's plans to build a colossal 60,000 MW dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet—a project that would dwarf even the Three Gorges Dam—has raised alarm bells in India. The Yarlung Tsangpo, originating in Tibet, becomes the Siang River as it enters Arunachal Pradesh and eventually joins the Brahmaputra. Tasing expressed grave concerns about the strategic and ecological implications of this Chinese endeavor, warning that the release of excess water or its weaponization as a “hydro bomb” could have catastrophic consequences for India, stretching far beyond Arunachal Pradesh to Assam and beyond.
As the topic in this article is on the Yarlung Tsangpo Dam being constructed in Tibet, we will not discuss the environmental and strategic threats due to Three Gorges Dam of China here. That is already a very big threat to the existence of Earth as Scientists claim that this dam has slowed Earth’s revolution because of some gravity issue. We are sticking to the Tasing dam only.
For Tasing, the Siang project is not just a dam; it is a shield. "If we don't construct our dam, what will be the impact on us if China uses its dam as a 'hydro bomb' on India?", he questioned, highlighting the strategic vulnerability India faces without a robust countermeasure. In his view, the Siang dam could serve as a buffer to absorb sudden surges of water released by the Chinese dam, mitigating the risk of downstream flooding and devastation.
While the technical merits of the project are substantial, the political and social opposition it faces is equally formidable. Certain NGOs, reportedly backed by international and domestic groups, are continuously running campaigns against Tasing dam and inciting local resistance against the dam and the government. In my view, these organizations might have ulterior motives, hinting at the involvement of a "deep state" or "Soros gang," alongside liberal and leftist forces allegedly working to undermine India's strategic autonomy.
When we look at the opposition created against Sardar Sarovar dam by Medha patkar and her team, Tehsi dam by Sunderlal Bahuguna and recent opposition to incineration of Union Carbide waste at Pithampur in Madhya Pradesh, we find that all these movements have dented the national interests. Though it is not yet confirmed, yet it could be said that external forces were involved in both the dams and same is very much visible in the ongoing issue of Union Carbide waste.
Minister’s remarks reflect a broader narrative of suspicion towards external interference in India’s internal affairs. Whether these claims hold water or not, they underscore the geopolitical sensitivity of the region. With China’s growing assertiveness along its borders and its expanding influence in South Asia, projects like the Siang dam are being cast as essential components of India’s national security framework.
Critics of the Siang project argue that mega dams have historically led to ecological degradation, displacement of local communities, and adverse impacts on biodiversity. Activists opposing the project highlight the region’s fragile ecosystem and the potential for irreversible damage. However, Tasing counters that the strategic imperatives outweigh these concerns, particularly in light of China's aggressive hydropower expansion.
The debate over the Siang dam encapsulates the complex interplay between development, security, and environmental sustainability in contemporary India. While the government must address legitimate concerns about displacement and ecological impact, the broader question of how India counters China's hydropower dominance looms large. As Tasing points out, the stakes are not merely regional but national, with the potential to shape India’s strategic calculus for decades to come.
In the face of mounting opposition, the Arunachal Pradesh government’s defense of the Siang project reflects a determination to prioritize national security in a volatile geopolitical landscape. Whether the project proceeds as planned will depend on how effectively the government balances its strategic objectives with the environmental and social costs, as well as how it counters both domestic and international resistance to its vision. In view of this, whole country must stand in support of the Siang dam.
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