For the first time, China has approved building of dams in the downstream of Brahmaputra or Yarlung Tsangpo River (as known in Tibet).
The dams would be built in the downstream of Brahmaputra River in Tibet region under Chinese control.
The approval of building of the dams was mentioned in the draft five-year plan (2021-25) of China.
The draft plan talks about building hydropower bases on the lower reaches of the Brahmaputra River as among the priority energy projects to be undertaken in the next five years.
According to The Hindu, the dam projects in the draft plan suggests that Chinese authorities have given the green light to begin tapping the lower reaches of Brahmaputra River for the first time.
The draft outline of the new Five-Year Plan was submitted before the National People’s Congress (NPC) on March 5.
The draft five-year plan would formally be approved before the NPC session ends on Thursday (March 11).
China should aim to begin construction within the year on the giant hydropower project, a senior Tibetan Communist Party official was quoted as saying on Monday.
Meanwhile, in India, apprehensions are high that the Chinese projects may disrupt flow of the River Brahmaputra downstream and even result in flash floods.
India has expressed concerns to China over the four planned dams on the upper and middle reaches.
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