China gives green light for first downstream dams on Brahmaputra

China has adopted 14th Five Year Plan which mentions a hydropower project on Brahmaputra River near Arunachal Pradesh

What does the Five Year Plan signifies?

• The plan was drafted against tensions between India-China and China-USA during COVID-19 pandemic
• The 2021-2025 plan is anticipated to have aggressive goals on sustainable energy in order to reach China's announced goals of carbon neutrality by no later than 2060
• Hence a hydroelectric project is envisaged on Brahmaputra River, which will offer clean energy to China

About the proposed dam and its location

• The plan was first revealed last year by Power Construction Corp of China or POWERCHINA
• Run of the river hydropower project in the downstream of the Yarlung Tsangpo River (the Tibetan name for Brahmaputra)
• The 50km section at the Great Bend alone offered the potential of 70 million kWh which equals more than three Three Gorges power stations

Brahmaputra River System

• Origin: Jima Yangzong Glacier in Tibet near Mansarovar Lake
• Course of the River:
  • It flows parallel to Himalayan Range in Tibet and after the Great Bend enters India at Arunachal Pradesh
  • It is fed by many tributaries and continues to flow towards Assam and then Bangladesh
  • In Bangladesh, River Ganga meets Brahmaputra River(Jamuna) which is then called Padma River and it drains in to Bay of Bengal at Sunderbans
• Tributaries:
  • Left Bank: Lhasa River, Nyang River, Parlung Zangbo, Lohit River, Dhansiri River, Kolong River
  • Right Bank: Kameng River, Manas River, Raidak River, Jaldhaka River, Teesta River, Subansiri River, Siang
• National Waterways 2
  • It is a section of the Brahmaputra River having a length of 891 km between the Bangladesh border near Dhubri and Sadiya in Assam.
• Ecological Significance
  • The basin provides a unique habitat for exquisite variety of flora and fauna, including many endangered species like one-horned rhinoceros, pygmy hog, hispid hare, Asiatic elephant, clouded leopard, marble cat, golden cat, binturong, hoolock gibbon and the Wood Duck.
  • The flood plains of the Brahmaputra are dotted with a large number of wetlands or beels, which provide unique habitats for a variety of flora and fauna. The beels also function as floodwater retention systems.
• Wildlife Hotspot on bank of Brahmaputra
  • Dibru Saikowa National Park
  • Kaziranga National Park
  • Orang National Park
• Majuli Island
  • It is the world's largest river island  located in Brahmaputra River
  • It is also called the cultural capital of Assam.
• The Great Bend
  • Brahmaputra flows in a deep canyon or gorge between two Himalayan peaks ‘Namcha Barwa’ and ‘Gyala Peri’ in Tibet. Then the river turns to south and rushes towards Arunachal Pradesh.
  • This region, where the river takes such a big turn of almost 270 degrees, is known as ‘The Great Bend’ of the Brahmaputra.