Siang Dam: Why The Project To Counter China Faces Opposition In Arunachal, Pg11

Key Highlights:

• The proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) in Arunachal Pradesh faces strong opposition from indigenous Adi communities and local residents.
• The 11,200 MW SUMP is envisioned as India's largest hydropower project, aimed at countering China's upstream dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo.
• Protests, including a shutdown and rallies in Itanagar, highlight concerns over ecological, social, and cultural impacts on ancestral lands.
• The Arunachal Pradesh government justifies the project as a national security imperative against potential "water bomb" threats from China.
• The project is currently in the pre-feasibility survey stage, with the Chief Minister assuring no rushing and extensive consultations if it progresses.

Siang Upper Project.jpg

Detailed Insights:

• Plans to harness the Siang and Subansiri rivers date back to 1982, with the Brahmaputra Board initially proposing smaller projects.
• Concerns over Chinese projects on the Yarlung Tsangpo (Siang in Tibet) emerged in 2013, shifting the focus to India's downstream user interests.
• The SUMP gained prominence after China approved its 60,000 MW lower Yarlung Tsangpo hydropower project in December 2024.
• Experts question the government's rationale, emphasizing the need for India to obtain public details and operational procedures of the Chinese project.
• Local communities fear displacement and loss of livelihood, viewing the Siang river as culturally, economically, and socially vital.
• The Chief Minister has assured that if the Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR) finds the project unfeasible, it will not proceed, and consultations will include Social Impact Assessment (SIA) and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

Key Concepts Involved:

• Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR): An initial study to assess the viability of a project before significant resources are committed.
• Social Impact Assessment (SIA): A process to evaluate the social effects of a proposed project on people and communities.
• Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA): A process to identify, predict, evaluate, and mitigate the environmental effects of a proposed project.
• Downstream User Rights: The rights of a country or region located downstream on a river to receive a fair share of its water.