Itanagar (Arunachal Pradesh) [India], January 25 (HBTV): Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has expressed concern over China's refusal to enter into binding international water treaties and its selective sharing of hydrological data. He emphasized the urgent need for cooperative governance of shared water resources in Asia, as per a release from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO).

Speaking at the inaugural function of a seminar titled 'Environment and Security' in Itanagar, held at the Dorjee Khandu Auditorium Hall of the state Legislative Assembly, the Chief Minister drew attention to China's plan to construct the world's largest hydropower project on the Yarlung Tsangpo river. This river enters Arunachal Pradesh as Siang and becomes the Brahmaputra in Assam before flowing into Bangladesh.

Khandu pointed out that the dam would give China control over the timing and volume of water flowing downstream, which could have devastating effects during periods of low flow or drought.

'The mighty Siang or the Brahmaputra river would dry-up during winters, disrupting life in the Siang belt and the plains of Assam,' he cautioned.

Conversely, he noted that sudden releases of water from the dam could cause severe flooding downstream, particularly during monsoon seasons, displacing communities, destroying crops, and damaging infrastructure.

The Chief Minister further highlighted that the dam would alter the sediment flow, which plays a crucial role in replenishing agricultural lands downstream.

'China's construction of the world's largest hydropower dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo River poses significant risks to the water security, ecology, and livelihoods of millions of people downstream in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and Bangladesh. The potential disruption of water flow, flooding, and ecosystem degradation could have far-reaching consequences on us,' Khandu said.

Highlighting that all major rivers of India originate from the Tibetan Plateau, Khandu also expressed his concerns about China's rampant exploitation of Tibet's natural resources. He believes this poses a serious threat to the very existence of these river systems, upon which millions of Indians depend for survival.

'Tibet is often referred to as the "Water Tower of Asia," supplying water to over a billion people in the region. Its environmental health is critical not only to China and India but to much of Asia. Therefore, India, given its direct dependency on Tibet's rivers and climate patterns, has a significant role to play in global environmental conservation efforts,' Khandu concluded.