India's Massive Dam Project in Arunachal Pradesh Sparks Local Concerns and China Tensions
India is planning a massive dam project in Arunachal Pradesh, sparking concerns among local Adi communities and raising tensions with China. The dam, set to be 280 meters high, could produce up to 11,600 megawatts of hydropower, making it India's most powerful. However, the project faces opposition from local residents and fears from India that China could use its upstream dams to control water flow.
The proposed dam, with a storage capacity of 9.2 billion cubic meters, could displace dozens of villages and submerge Adi community lands. Residents of Riew village, particularly, oppose the project due to cultural and livelihood concerns, as the river is sacred to the Adi people and vital for their livelihoods.
India sees the dam project as a defensive measure against China's Yaxia project upstream, which includes five hydropower stations capable of producing three times more electricity than the Three Gorges dam. India's Governor of Arunachal Pradesh, Lieutenant General K.T. Parnaik (Retired), considers the planned Indian dam projects a 'national security emergency'.
The planned dam could potentially displace communities and disrupt the Adi people's way of life. Meanwhile, India's defensive stance highlights the geopolitical tensions surrounding water resources in the region. The dam's construction, if it proceeds, will significantly alter the landscape and water flow, with potential consequences for both local communities and international relations.
