Lok Sabha Question No. 4455 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-29
Subject: Dam on Brahmaputra
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: FEROZE VARUN GANDHI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4455 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.03.2017

## DAM ON BRAHMAPUTRA

## 4455. SHRI FEROZE VARUN GANDHI:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of concerns and challenges faced/likely to be faced by  the  country  on  account  of  commissioning  of  a  largest hydro-electric power project (Zangmu Hydropower Station) by China which shall impact the flow of Brahmaputra in Arunachal Pradesh;
- (b) the details of the steps taken by the Government to address the issue;
- (c) whether China's neighbouring countries have also complained that other dams of China are affecting flow of water in their countries and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether any regional water sharing treaties are being considered by the Government and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI M. J. AKBAR)

(a) & (b) According to reports, Zangmu hydroelectric project has been operationalized in October, 2015. Reports indicate that it is a 510  MW  run-of-the-river  project.  The  'Outline  of  the  12 th   Five  Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development of the People's Republic of China' indicates that three more hydropower projects on the  main  stream  of  the  Brahmaputra  River  in  Tibet  Autonomous Region  have  been  approved  for  implementation  by  the  Chinese authorities.

Government, in close cooperation with various State Governments  including  Government  of  Assam,  which  are  users  of the waters of river Brahmaputra, continues to carefully monitor the water flow in river Brahmaputra for early detection of abnormality so that  corrective  and  preventive  measures  are  taken  to  safeguard livelihood of peoples of these States of Union of India. Various issues relating to trans-border rivers, including construction of hydro-power dams, are discussed with China under the ambit of  India-China  Expert  Level  Mechanism  which  was established in 2006. 10th Meeting of the ELM was held in New Delhi in  April  2016.  Government  of  India,  under  the  Memorandum  of Understanding on Strengthening Cooperation on Trans-border Rivers, signed in October 2013, obtains hydrological data from China on Brahmaputra River. This arrangement has been useful in preventing damage during the flood season. As a lower riparian State with considerable established user rights to the waters of the River, India has conveyed its views and concerns to the Chinese authorities, including at the highest levels of the Government of the People's Republic of China. India has urged China  to  ensure  that  the  interests  of  downstream  States  are  not harmed by any activities in upstream areas. The  Chinese  side  has  conveyed  to  us  on  several  occasions that they are only undertaking run-of-the-river hydropower projects which do not involve diversion of the waters of the Brahmaputra. We intend  to  remain  engaged  with  China  on  the  issue  of  trans-border rivers to safeguard our interest. (c) Government has seen reports regarding discussions between China and certain countries in the South East Asia region on water supply  in  Mekong  River,  including  under  the  framework  of  the Lancang-Mekong River Cooperation mechanism. Presently,  Government  is  not  discussing  any  regional  water

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(d) sharing treaties with China.