China's alleged Brahmaputra hydropower plan to encroach India, Bangladesh's rights: Centre

Government of India on Wednesday said China's attempt to construct a hydropower station on Brahmaputra river will act as an encroachment on entitled rights of lower riparian states like India and Banglesh and would versely affect availability of water in its basin during lean season.

issue was discussed during a review meeting of Central Water Commission (CWC), led by Rattan Lal Kataria, Minister of State in Jal Shakti Ministry.

"Regarding alleged plan of China to set up a super hydropower station at Brahmaputra at Mekong, Tibet, officials apprised that any attempt to divert water of Brahmaputra river shall act as an encroachment on entitled rights of lower riparian states like India, Banglesh and versely affect availability of water in Brahmaputra basin during lean season," a statement by ministry said.

"However, re are official platforms - like Expert Level Mechanism set up between India and China in year 2006 to discuss various issues related to trans-border rivers," statement ded.

In vember, Yan Zhiyong, chairman of Power Construction Corp of China, said country will "implement hydropower exploitation in downstream of Yarlung Zangbo River" ( Tibetan name for Brahmaputra) and project could serve to maintain water resources and domestic security.

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India plans to build a reservoir in Arunachal

To offset impact of project, India too plans to build a multipurpose 10,000 MW reservoir in Arunachal Presh. proposed 9.2 BCM "Upper Siang" project on Siang river in Arunachal will take excess lo of water discharge and store it, to be used in case of a deficit.

Owing to abundant rainfall in rast region, 90% of Brahmaputra water comes through its tributaries in India, during monsoon. During winters, 80% of Siang river gets its water from upper stretches, as glaciers become main source.

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During discussion on flood forecasting and manment, officials also talked about issue pertaining to flooding caused by Brahmaputra river.

" CWC officials apprised about need for setting up a project at Upper Siang/Brahmaputra which shall be highly beneficial for state of Assam," statement ded.

mighty Brahmaputra, one of longest rivers in world, flows through China, India, and Banglesh and has several tributaries and sub-tributaries.

Yarlung Zangbo, which originates in Tibet, takes name Siang when it enters India through Arunachal Presh. It is furr joined by several tributaries to flow into Brahmaputra. As a lower riparian state with established rights to waters of trans-border rivers, Indian government has consistently conveyed its concerns to Chinese authorities and has urged m to ensure that interests of downstream states are t affected by any activities in upstream areas.

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