Siang Upper Multipurpose Project in Arunachal Pradesh

Context:

Farmers and activists in Arunachal Pradesh have opposed the proposed 11,500 MW Siang Upper Multipurpose Project, citing displacement, ecological loss, and cultural impacts, amid concerns over China’s Medog Hydropower Project on the YarlungTsangpo.

Siang Upper Multipurpose Project

Location & River System:

Situated in Upper Siang District, Arunachal Pradesh on the Siang River (major Brahmaputra tributary).
Origin:YarlungTsangpo near Mount Kailash in Tibet flows east for ~1,000 km and forms Namcha Barwa bend then enters Arunachal Pradesh as Siang River.
Confluence: Joins Dibang and Lohit in Assam to form the Brahmaputra.

Strategic Importance:

Countermeasure to China’s Hydropower Projects on YarlungTsangpo, safeguarding India’s water security.
Helps mitigate downstream floods from sudden upstream water releases by China.
Installed Capacity: ~11,000 MW (one of India’s largest proposed hydropower projects).
Water Management: Ensures perennial flow, supports irrigation during lean seasons, aids agriculture.

Concerns:

Displacement Risk: Affects large sections of the Adi tribe, including loss of farmlands, homes, and cultural sites.
Potential ecological impacts on forest cover, biodiversity, and riverine ecosystems.