Fri Jan 24 14:10:55 UTC 2025: ## Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Raises Alarm Over China’s Mega-Dam Project

**ITANAGAR, ARUNACHAL PRADESH –** Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has expressed serious concerns over China’s planned construction of the world’s largest hydropower dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo river, which flows into India as the Siang and Brahmaputra. Speaking at a seminar on environment and security on Friday, January 24, 2025, Khandu highlighted China’s refusal to enter into binding international water treaties and its selective sharing of hydrological data as major points of concern.

The 60,000 megawatt dam, confirmed by China in December 2024, is located near the Arunachal Pradesh border in Tibet. While Beijing claims minimal environmental impact, Khandu warned of potentially devastating consequences for downstream communities in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and Bangladesh. He cited the risk of severely disrupted water flow, leading to droughts in winter and catastrophic flooding during monsoon season. The dam could also drastically alter sediment flow, harming agriculture.

Khandu emphasized the broader implications for water security and the ecology of the region, stating that the project poses a serious threat to the livelihoods of millions. He pointed out that many major Indian rivers originate in the Tibetan plateau, highlighting China’s “rampant exploitation” of Tibet’s natural resources as a threat to these vital water systems. He stressed the critical role of Tibet, often called the “Water Tower of Asia,” in supplying water to over a billion people and advocated for cooperative governance of shared water resources.

The seminar, organized by the Tibet Support Group of Arunachal Pradesh and the Core Group for Tibetan Cause, included participants from the Central Tibetan Administration and the Indian Parliament. The discussions focused on the environmental situation in Tibet and its implications for India’s security.

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