Answer

The Himalayan region, home to fragile ecosystems and vital rivers like the Brahmaputra, faces ecological challenges exacerbated by China’s Yarlung Tsangpo project. This hydropower initiative raises concerns over water flow disruption and downstream impacts on India. The India-China Water Cooperation Agreement (2002) facilitates data-sharing, but tensions remain.

Enroll now for UPSC Online Course

Ecological Fragility of the Himalayan Region and Challenges Posed by China’s Yarlung Tsangpo Project

• Fragile Ecosystem: The Himalayan region is ecologically vulnerable, prone to landslides, earthquakes, and other natural hazards, exacerbating risks of large-scale projects like the Yarlung Tsangpo dam.
  For example: A 2004 landslide in Tibet created the Parechu Lake, which burst in 2005, highlighting the seismic risks in the region.
• Biodiversity Threats: Large dams disrupt river ecosystems, affecting local biodiversity and agriculture by altering water flow and silt deposition in downstream areas.
  For example: The Three Gorges Dam’s massive water storage has displaced millions and altered the Yangtze River’s natural flow, affecting wildlife habitats.
• Water Flow Disruptions: The Yarlung Tsangpo’s potential dam may interrupt vital water flow to India, affecting the Brahmaputra system, a critical water source for millions.
  For example: In the Mekong region, China’s dams have significantly reduced water flow, causing agricultural and ecological disruptions in downstream countries.
• Seismic and Geological Risks: The region’s earthquake-prone nature raises concerns over dam safety, as large reservoirs can trigger seismic activity and cause disasters.
• Environmental Disasters: The construction of large reservoirs may lead to sudden flooding or structural failures, impacting downstream communities and their livelihoods.
  For example: Dam-induced disasters like the 1975 Banqiao Dam failure in China caused over 200,000 deaths due to sudden flooding from a failed reservoir.

Coordination Mechanisms Between India and China on Transboundary Rivers

• MoU on Transboundary Rivers: India and China have a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on transboundary rivers, aiming to ensure cooperation on shared water resources and issues.
  For example: The 2013 umbrella MoU facilitates cooperation, but it lacks operational mechanisms for regular exchanges of information on river management.
• Brahmaputra-Specific MoU: The Brahmaputra-specific MoU, renewable every five years, provides a platform for addressing issues related to water sharing and management between the two countries.
• Sutlej-Specific MoU: The MoU on the Sutlej river, designed post-Parechu incident, aims to monitor and mitigate risks related to upstream activities, particularly those from Chinese dams.
  For example: The Sutlej MoU, though pending renewal, was crucial for real-time data sharing during the 2005 Parechu Lake burst, avoiding major downstream damage.
• Expert Level Mechanism: The Expert Level Mechanism (ELM) established in 2006 facilitates discussions on water management, helping resolve technical and diplomatic issues between India and China.
• UN Convention Framework: India and China both adhere to key principles of the 1997 UN Convention on Non-Navigational Uses of International Watercourses, ensuring equitable water use and conflict resolution.

Strategical Engagement with Various Platforms to Mitigate These Challenges

• Bilateral Dialogue: India must engage more forcefully with China to raise concerns about large-scale water projects, advocating for transparent data sharing and risk assessments.
• Engagement through Regional Platforms: India can push for more robust dialogue on transboundary rivers in regional platforms such as the BIMSTEC or the Bay of Bengal Initiative to secure cooperation from neighboring countries.
• International Forums and Norms: India can use international forums like the UN to promote the equitable use of transboundary rivers, advocating for binding agreements on water-sharing.
• Data Sharing and Monitoring: India must push for comprehensive data-sharing agreements with China, ensuring real-time monitoring of water flow, sediment levels, and reservoir stability.
• Collaboration with Scientific and Environmental Organizations: India should collaborate with environmental NGOs and scientific bodies to assess the ecological impact of the Tsangpo dam, ensuring that projects are environmentally sustainable.
  For example: Collaborating with organizations like the International Rivers Network can help India lobby for environmentally responsible dam construction practices in Tibet.

Check Out UPSC CSE Books From PW Store

Existing mechanisms like the India-China Water Cooperation Agreement provide a foundation, but India must engage with platforms like the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation and UN Watercourses Convention. Strengthening diplomatic outreach and promoting transparent information-sharing will help mitigate ecological risks and ensure sustainable management of transboundary rivers.

DOWNLOAD PDF