Revision as of 16:16, 23 May 2017

Summary

Natural, Historic, Economic, Regional, and Political Framework

BACKGROUND Historical Context The Yarlung Zangbo/Brahmaputra is part of the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna Basin and runs through China, India, Bhutan, and Bangladesh. As of 2011, its origin was identified by the Chinese Academy of Sciences at the Angsi Glacier in the Himalayas in Burang County, Tibet (Bandyopadhyay, et. al., 2016).

Figure 1. The Brahmaputra sub-basin in South Asia Source: Bandyopadhyay, et. al., 2016

Figure 2. Key basin statistics country by country (see below sections for explanation of the important biophysical aspects of the river that influence this case, and Figure 2 for reference). File:Fig 2. Yarlung Zangbo Brahmaputra key basin statistics country by country.jpg Note: cumecs is a unit of flow equal to one cubic meter of water per second. Source: Bandyopadhyay, et. al., 2016

Figure 3. Land Use Land Cover in the Brahmaputra sub-basin File:Fig 3. Fig 3. Land Use Land Cover in the Brahmaputra sub-basin.jpg Source: Bandyopadhyay, et. al., 2016

Biophysical and Hydrological Basin Aspects Differing Flows and Sedimentation The introductory table provides an overview of the distinct biophysical characteristics of the basin between the Northern and Southern aspects of the Himalaya. The contrasts in these characteristics should play a key role in discussions of hydropower projects, but are currently not considered. The first key aspect is the difference in the flow regimes across the basin, which vary greatly from China into India and Bangladesh. The Tibetan component (the Yarlung, or the northern aspect of the Himalaya) receives less precipitation than the India, Bhutan, Bangladesh (southern aspect of the Himalaya). Yarlung’s flow is primarily fed by snowfall and glacial melt. In contrast, during peak flow, the Brahmaputra (the southern aspect of the Himalaya) is primarily fed by monsoon, but during the “lean season,” the share of its flow from the Yarlung River would be larger. This evaluation of flow is critical to analyzing hydropower projects and the impact of a project located in Tibet on downstream flow.

Moreover, the sediment loads between the two aspects of the basin contrast greatly. These sediments deliver significant ecosystem services, especially to the fertile agriculture regions that the basin creates in India and Bangladesh. Upstream hydropower projects are cited to threaten this sediment flow, but it is not clear whether the flow of the Yarlung Zangbo is significant enough to carry sediment downstream in the first place. In contrast, a hydropower project in the southern part of the sub-basin would impact sediment flows significantly (Bandyopadhyay, et. al., 2016).

Issues and Stakeholders

China’s Zangmu Dam, which has eroded trust between China and India related to future hydropower development and dispute resolution. How will China, India, Bangladesh, and other basin stakeholders resolve future disputes related to hydropower?

Analysis, Synthesis, and Insight

No ASI articles have been added yet for this case

Key Questions

Hydropower Dams and Large Storage Infrastructure: What role(s) can hydropower play in a nation's energy strategy?

It can help a country supply “clean” energy without additional carbon emissions, which is particularly relevant in the case of China.

Hydropower Dams and Large Storage Infrastructure: What calculations and considerations should be investigated by countries looking to harness additional hydropower? Which potential outcomes should be investigated or identified?

Environmental impacts must be thoroughly assessed, lest the hydropower generation capacity be developed at the expense of water and ecosystem services that disadvantaged populations depend on, which can impact agricultural productivity and fishing on which these populations depend.

Hydropower Dams and Large Storage Infrastructure: Where does the benefit “flow” from a hydropower project and how does that affect implementation and sustainability of the project?

While the benefits of electricity generation can create a positive impact at the regional or national level, the disadvantages of hydropower generation (such as reduced river flow) can impact those populations living closest or downstream of a hydropower project.

Hydropower Dams and Large Storage Infrastructure: How do issues of equity and development impact the identification of stakeholders in cases involving hydropower or other revenue generating water infrastructure?

The population size, poverty levels, dependence on river flow for agriculture, and electricity needs can make certain parts of a basin more compelling candidates for the benefits of hydropower. However, the issue is complicated at the transnational level when the hydropower electricity generation will benefit one marginalized population and disadvantage another marginalized population downstream.

Transboundary Water Issues: How can mutual trust amongst riparians be nurtured? What actions erode that trust?

Data sharing and regular forums for communication and cooperation can foster mutual trust amongst riparians. Lack of transparency around infrastructure projects and data sharing can erode that trust.

Hydropower Dams and Large Storage Infrastructure: What role(s) can hydropower play in a nation's energy strategy?

It can help a country supply “clean” energy without additional carbon emissions, which is particularly relevant in the case of China.

Hydropower Dams and Large Storage Infrastructure: What calculations and considerations should be investigated by countries looking to harness additional hydropower? Which potential outcomes should be investigated or identified?

Environmental impacts must be thoroughly assessed, lest the hydropower generation capacity be developed at the expense of water and ecosystem services that disadvantaged populations depend on, which can impact agricultural productivity and fishing on which these populations depend.

Hydropower Dams and Large Storage Infrastructure: Where does the benefit “flow” from a hydropower project and how does that affect implementation and sustainability of the project?

While the benefits of electricity generation can create a positive impact at the regional or national level, the disadvantages of hydropower generation (such as reduced river flow) can impact those populations living closest or downstream of a hydropower project.

Hydropower Dams and Large Storage Infrastructure: How do issues of equity and development impact the identification of stakeholders in cases involving hydropower or other revenue generating water infrastructure?

The population size, poverty levels, dependence on river flow for agriculture, and electricity needs can make certain parts of a basin more compelling candidates for the benefits of hydropower. However, the issue is complicated at the transnational level when the hydropower electricity generation will benefit one marginalized population and disadvantage another marginalized population downstream.

Transboundary Water Issues: How can mutual trust amongst riparians be nurtured? What actions erode that trust?

Data sharing and regular forums for communication and cooperation can foster mutual trust amongst riparians. Lack of transparency around infrastructure projects and data sharing can erode that trust.

Hydropower Dams and Large Storage Infrastructure: What role(s) can hydropower play in a nation's energy strategy?

It can help a country supply “clean” energy without additional carbon emissions, which is particularly relevant in the case of China.

Hydropower Dams and Large Storage Infrastructure: What calculations and considerations should be investigated by countries looking to harness additional hydropower? Which potential outcomes should be investigated or identified?

Environmental impacts must be thoroughly assessed, lest the hydropower generation capacity be developed at the expense of water and ecosystem services that disadvantaged populations depend on, which can impact agricultural productivity and fishing on which these populations depend.

Hydropower Dams and Large Storage Infrastructure: Where does the benefit “flow” from a hydropower project and how does that affect implementation and sustainability of the project?

While the benefits of electricity generation can create a positive impact at the regional or national level, the disadvantages of hydropower generation (such as reduced river flow) can impact those populations living closest or downstream of a hydropower project.

Hydropower Dams and Large Storage Infrastructure: How do issues of equity and development impact the identification of stakeholders in cases involving hydropower or other revenue generating water infrastructure?

The population size, poverty levels, dependence on river flow for agriculture, and electricity needs can make certain parts of a basin more compelling candidates for the benefits of hydropower. However, the issue is complicated at the transnational level when the hydropower electricity generation will benefit one marginalized population and disadvantage another marginalized population downstream.

Transboundary Water Issues: How can mutual trust amongst riparians be nurtured? What actions erode that trust?

Data sharing and regular forums for communication and cooperation can foster mutual trust amongst riparians. Lack of transparency around infrastructure projects and data sharing can erode that trust.