Yarlung Zangbo / Brahmaputra River: Competing Priorities of Hydropower and Agriculture

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Case Description
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Geolocation: 29° 10' 7.6364", 92° 31' 41.3242"
Predominent Land Use Descriptors agricultural- cropland and pasture
Important Uses of Water Agriculture or Irrigation, Fisheries - wild, Hydropower Generation
Riparians: Efforts of Coordinating Joint Development of Hydropower Projects Within the Salween Basin, Negotiations and Agreements Between Ganges River Basin Riparians 2008 Kosi Flood, Efforts of Coordinating Joint Development of Hydropower Projects Within the Salween Basin, Negotiations and Agreements Between Ganges River Basin Riparians 2008 Kosi Flood
Water Projects: Baglihar Hydroelectric Plant - Issue between Pakistan and India + Case Study of Transboundary Dispute Resolution: Multilateral Working Group on Water Resources (Middle East), China: The Three Gorges Dam Hydroelectric Project, Conflicts over development in India's Narmada River Basin, Creative Options and Value Creation to Address Water Security in the Eastern Nile Basin, Efforts of Coordinating Joint Development of Hydropower Projects Within the Salween Basin, Ilisu Dam Project, Turkey, Impacts of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on Downstream Countries, Integrated Joint Management Agreements of Mekong River Basin Riparians, Integrated Management and Diplomacy Development of the Chao Phraya River Basin, Baglihar Hydroelectric Plant - Issue between Pakistan and India + Case Study of Transboundary Dispute Resolution: Multilateral Working Group on Water Resources (Middle East), China: The Three Gorges Dam Hydroelectric Project, Conflicts over development in India's Narmada River Basin, Creative Options and Value Creation to Address Water Security in the Eastern Nile Basin, Efforts of Coordinating Joint Development of Hydropower Projects Within the Salween Basin, Ilisu Dam Project, Turkey, Impacts of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on Downstream Countries, Integrated Joint Management Agreements of Mekong River Basin Riparians, Integrated Management and Diplomacy Development of the Chao Phraya River Basin

Summary

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). The river's hydrogeological features contrast greatly between the portions located in the northern and southern aspects of the Himalaya, especially flow and sediment load. This translates to differing impact of hydropower projects in these distinct parts of the river.

No legally recognized transnational framework exists to govern the basin or resolve disputes. However, collaboration exists between India and Bangladesh for the southern sub-basin, China’s national law applies to the basin, and there have been informal agreements encouraging basin-level collaboration on a bilateral basis between China and India and China and Bangladesh. The leading controversy in the Yarlung Zangbo/Brahmaputra River is the use of the river for hydropower projects by both China and India. One of the leading conflicts has been the Zangmu Dam, constructed by China in the Tibetan portion (the Yarlung River) and operational since October of 2015.

Of the transboundary rivers between China and India, the Yarlung Zangbo/Brahmaputra is the most contentious for several key reasons. First, China has the most significant basin area within the Yarlung Zangbo/Brahmaputra. Second, the river is of great importance to both countries, culturally, politically, and economically: in India it comprises 30% of national freshwater resources and 40% of potential hydropower generation, and it is also a critical hydropower source for China. Finally, the river occupies a disputed border region in the Eastern Himalayas (called South Tibet in China and Arunachal Pradesh in India).

In order to solve future disputes regarding the river, the key basin stakeholders (China, India, and Bangladesh) need to form a legally recognized and transnational forum for dispute resolution. This forum could be based on the 2010 Dhaka Declaration on Water Security or the existing bilateral Expert Level Mechanism between India and China.



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). See below sections for explanation of the important biophysical aspects of the river that influence this case, and Figure 2 for reference.

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


Figure 2. Key basin statistics country by country. Source: Bandyopadhyay, et. al., 2016

Note: cumecs is a unit of flow equal to one cubic meter of water per second.

Figure 3. Land Use Land Cover in the Brahmaputra sub-basin. 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).

Floods, bank erosion, and shifting of river flows

Especially in the sub-basin in India and Bangladesh, the Brahmaputra River is known for significant flooding, erosion, and changing course, especially during monsoon season. This is caused primarily by a “lack of both an ecosystem perspective and a systems approach to basin management” (Bandyopadhyay, et. al., 2016). This impact is observed most dramatically in the Assam region, given the river’s” velocity and volume of flow during the peak season, erodible nature of bank materials, and consequent development of side channels and varying width.” (ibid). Each nation in the basin has tried to address the flooding in its own way with local strategies such as building embankments. However, a current lack of data, knowledge sharing, and information dissemination prevent research and a broader hydrogeological understanding of the basin that would create better models to predict future flooding and provide early warning to the population.

Cultural Significance

The Brahmaputra is considered sacred in Bhutan, India and Tibet (China). In Tibetan, its name “Tsangpo” means “Purifier.” In India, legend hold that the origin of the river is Lord Brahma, God of creation for Hindus, and a sage cleaved the bank and caused it to inundate present day Assam and result in the agricultural fertility of the region. Many Hindus bathe in it to celebrate Ashok Astami. Moreover, many of the tribes in the Himalayan foothills derive their names from “river” or “water” and also have folk-myths that center on around the tributaries that feed the river. Thus, the river possesses another dimension of significance for local populations (Bandyopadhyay, et. al., 2016).

Agricultural Importance

The Brahmaputra river sub-basin in India and Bangladesh supports the livelihoods of over 66 million people through subsistence agriculture (Srinivasan et al., 1998) and fishing. In the upper basin in Tibet (the Yarlung Tsangpo), the vegetation is mainly barren, drought-resistant shrubs and grasses (Singh et al., 2004) with the exception of the tributary that feeds Lhasa. Yet in the lower basin with greater precipitation, there are forests with valuable timber in Assam, reed jungle, and several key agricultural products in the Assam valley: tea, fruit trees (banana, papaya, mango, jackfruit), bamboo thickets, and rice paddies (Bandyopadhyay, et. al., 2016).

Poor Population

The river exhibits the “ample water, ample poverty” paradox of traditional development theory, which typically links scarcity of natural resources and poverty. While the sub-basin has abundant water, the populations in the region have not benefited from it and the surrounding communities are poor. The disadvantage of the population is amplified during monsoon season, when dramatic flooding, erosion, and the changing course of the river impact the urban centers of Guwahati (the largest city in Assam) and Bangladesh that have developed on the riverbank. These floods are one explanation for the high levels of poverty, as the annual floods damage community infrastructure on a recurring basis and the most marginalized, poor rural populations are exposed to the hazards of excess water. Although the high levels of precipitation, run-off, and the hydro-electric potential are often cited as solutions to eradicate poverty in the region, limitations to basin-scale planning and hydropower development have kept the region in power (Bandyopadhyay, et. al., 2016).

Governance and Cooperation

Legal frameworks governing the Yarlung Zangbo/Brahmaputra

No legally recognized transnational framework exists to govern the basin or resolve disputes. However, collaboration exists between India and Bangladesh for the southern sub-basin, China’s national law applies to the basin, and there have been informal agreements encouraging basin-level collaboration, highlighted below:

India and Bangladesh

India and Bangladesh have a longer history of joint collaboration related to the Brahmaputra. In 1977: Indo-Bangladesh Joint River Commission (JRC): established to “investigate and study schemes for augmenting the dry season flow of the Ganges, with a view to finding a solution that is economical and feasible” (JRCB website).

China

The Chinese Water Law (established in 2002) is a national law that governs China’s “use and protection” of international rivers. It is modeled after 1997 UN Watercourses Convention, even though China was one of three countries that voted against the 1997 UN Convention on the Law of the Non-Navigational Use of International Watercourses (UNWC) (Zhang, 2016).

Dhaka Declaration on Water Security

In 2010, this collaboration was coordinated by the Strategic Foresight Group (SFG) and Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies (BIPSS) “to build confidence and cooperation between countries that make up the Himalayan River Basin” (SFG, BIPSS). While high-level current and former government representatives from the Indian and Bangladeshi governments participated in the declaration, the representatives from China and Nepal, while providing expertise, were not official government representatives. This limited the scope and possibilities of the declaration. Although the declaration recommended the creation of a “strongly integrated cooperative Basin management mechanism for the Himalayan Basin Area,” the participants did not have the ability to form this mechanism.

Cooperation between China and India and China and Bangladesh

Despite the lack of legal frameworks governing the basin, China has cooperated bilaterally with both India and Bangladesh on issues related to the basin. It is crucial to note that China prefers to act bilaterally, rather than multilaterally with both India and Bangladesh. Moreover, Bhutan and Nepal, while impacted by the river, are not included in these collaborations.

Timeline of China and India Cooperation

2002: Indian and Chinese governments signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for China to provide hydrological information on Yarlung Zangbo / Brahmaputra River during flood season (Ministry of Water Resources, 2016).

- Under this MoU, China provides hydrological data (i.e., water level, discharge, rainfall) from three stations at Nugesha, Yangcun and Nuxia from June 1 until October 15 annually, which India’s Central Water Commission (CWC) utilizes to forecast floods.

- This MoU was renewed again in 2008 and 2013 for additional five-year periods.

2005: Indian and Chinese governments signed an MoU for China to provide hydrological information on the Sutlej River during flood season (Ministry of Water Resources, 2016).

2006: The Chinese and Indian Presidents agreed to arrange an Expert Level Mechanism (ELM) “to discuss interaction and cooperation on provision of flood season hydrological data, emergency management and other issues regarding trans-border Rivers as agreed between them” (Ministry of Water Resources, 2016). Annual meetings of the ELM have occurred since 2007.

2013: China and India expanded the MoU on “Strengthening Cooperation on Trans-Border Rivers” by expanding the period of data provision earlier, from May 15 until October 15 every year (Ministry of Water Resources, 2016).

Timeline of China and Bangladesh Cooperation

2005: Joint Communique signed in which both countries agreed to “cooperate in the field of water resources, and to utilize and to protect the water resources of transnational rivers in the region, keeping in mind the principles of equality and fairness” (Zhang, 2016).

March 2010: during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to China, both countries signed an MoU stating that they would “cooperate on hydrological data sharing and flood control to reduce the Brahmaputra’s annual negative impacts in Bangladesh” and that they would cooperate “in relation to water” (Zhang, 2016). This MoU was renewed until 2014, together with its data provision.

May 2015: both countries signed another MoU that focused on consultation relating to “discharge of water, intensity of river flow, rainfall, and other information on Brahmaputra and Yellow rivers” (Zhang 2016). China also promised that it would provide technical assistance to Bangladesh “relating to flood management and control issues” (Zhang 2016).

Competition and Disputes

Context of Indian and Chinese Competition in the Yarlung Zangbo/Brahmaputra Basin

China and India share four transboundary rivers, each with at least one other country (Indus/Shiquan, Brahmaputra, Kosi, and Ghaghara). China is the upper riparian state in all four cases. However, the Brahmaputra River is the most contentious river up for debate between the two countries for three key reasons (Zhang, 2016):

1. Of all four transboundary rivers shared with India, China has the most significant basin area within the Brahmaputra. Of the river’s 2,880 km total distance, it extends 1,625 km in Tibet as the Yarlung Zangbo (see table in section above) (Bandyopadhyay, et. al., 2016). However, it is important to note that this length within the Tibetan geography does not translate to greater flow within the territory.

2. The river is of great importance to both countries, culturally, politically, and economically. In China, it is of great cultural importance in Tibet and it is also critical to China’s ability to supply energy to Tibet and the rest of the country. In India, it comprises 30% of national freshwater resources and 40% of potential hydropower generation (Zhang, 2016).

3. The river occupies a disputed border region in the Eastern Himalayas (called South Tibet in China and Arunachal Pradesh in India). This region has a population of over 1 million people and an area of 90,000 square km (Zhang, 2016).

Future Planned Development

One of the key development projects being planned in the basin as a result of India and Bangladesh’s collaboration is River Link Project (RLP). The lack of flow in Bangladesh in the summer results in water scarcity and threatens agricultural production. The RLP proposal is to link Brahmaputra to Ganges to allow for storage and long-distance transfer of water. Besides opposition to this plan from a hydrological perspective, this project would compromise the riparian rights of the Indian states, which have always enjoyed apportionment and allocation rights of water.

Hydropower Production Potential

Significance to India

The Brahmaputra is critical to water resources utilization for hydropower electricity generation in India. India estimates the Brahmaputra would contribute 58,971MW in generation capacity. Given the low percentage of hydropower currently developed in India (see below), this is a priority for the national government.

Figure 4. Water Resources - Availability and Utilization in India

Source: Bandyopadhyay, et. al., 2016 Fig 4. Water Resources - Availability and Utilization in India.jpg

Significance to China

Within Chinese territory, the Yarlung Zangbo is an important source of hydropower electricity generation to power Tibet and the rest of Western China, especially as China attempts to address the poverty in this region (Ho, 2014). The strategic importance of power for Tibet is emphasized by the fact that the Zangmu Dam (discussed below) is only 140 km from the Tibetan capital of Lhasa (Economic Times, 2015). This dam is also integrated into the Chinese south – north water diversion project to transport large volumes across the country to arid regions (Ho, 2014). Finally, China is eager to develop more hydropower projects to satisfy its energy needs while simultaneously receiving pressure to incorporate more low-carbon electricity generation into its grid (Bandyopadhyay, et. al., 2016).

Zangmu Dam Conflict

China has constructed dams in many of its rivers in response to increased demand for water and electricity (Ho, 2014). It planned the Zangmu dam in Gyaca County in Tibet to harness the power of the “Great Bend” in the river where the river’s flow reaches its maximum force within Chinese borders (Bandyopadhyay, et. al., 2016). China said the electricity is especially critical for Tibet, which previously faced frequent power outages (Bandyopadhyay, et. al., 2016).

In 2010, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi officially announced that China was in the process of constructing the dam. He assured India that it would not impact the river's downstream flow (Tripathi, 2016). In October 2015, China operationalized the Zangmu Dam, which has capacity to produce 510 MW of electricity. China has maintained that the dam is a run-of-river project that is not intended to hold water (The Economic Times, 2015).

The timeline below is a visual depiction of China’s cooperation with both India and Bangladesh during the process of building the Zangmu Dam.

Additional Chinese Hydropower Projects

Besides the Zangmu Dam, China has approved three additional dams along the Yarlung Zangbo/Brahmaputra as part of its 12th Five Year Plan (Akbar 2017). India is concerned that the dams may divert the Yarlung Zangbo/Brahmaputra and affect water levels for the dams they are trying to build, the Upper Siang and the Lower Suhansri, in Arunachal Pradesh (Akbar 2017). See Figure 3 for reference of other anticipated projects based on the 12th Five Year Plan.


Figure 5. Zangmu Dam and other planned Chinese dams on the Yarlung Zangbo/Brahmaputra. Source: Tripathi, 2016

Figure 6. Visual Timeline of bilateral cooperation on the Yarlung-Zangbo/Brahmaputra and the Zangmu Dam Source: Zhang, 2016

The perception of the Chinese position in the dispute

China is unwilling to sign any binding agreements with downstream countries over transboundary rivers (Zhang, 2016). India and Bangladesh are concerned that China will eventually divert water from the Brahmaputra to address its own anticipated future water shortages (Economic Times, 2015).

The Chinese claim this is not a priority, and in a 2011 press conference, China’s vice minister of Ministry of Water Resources confirmed that China does not have plans to divert the Brahmaputra, stating: “despite calls from scholars and water experts to utilize waters in Brahmaputra River, from the government’s point of view, given the technical difficulties, the amount of water diverted, environmental impacts and relationship with neighboring countries, the proposal is not included in the government’s current water project plans” (Zhang, 2016). Recently China has also been turning away from water diversion projects and government representatives have been discussing water conservation and environmental protection (Zhang, 2016).

However, the Indian public and international press focus on the impending “water war” has led China to include discussion of water disputes as one of the top bilateral issues to be discussed between Chinese and Indian leaders (Zhang, 2016). Chinese public and press opine that India is playing up the “water wars” narrative to justify India’s construction of dams in the Arunachal Pradesh region.

Current state of the dispute

The latest communication related to collaboration around the Yarlung Zangbo / Brahmaputra was the 10th ELM meeting between India & China, which was held on April 12 and 13, 2016 in New Delhi, India. However, no details of the meeting are available publicly.

The Closer Developmental Partnership is an initiative between China and India to hold “upgraded strategic dialogue” to strengthen bilateral ties. India’s Foreign Secretary and China’s Vice Foreign Minister met most recently in this context in February 2017 (Economic Times 2017). Although this initial strategic dialogue did not mention discussion of the Brahmaputra, this forum may be the best starting point for negotiations between the two countries about future hydropower projects.

As of March 2017, in response to a question about the current status of India and China conversations about the river Shri M. J. Akbar (The Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs) supplied the same language that was used to respond to the question of Brahmaputra-related discussions with China:

“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” (Question No. 4455, 2017).

The Role of the Press

The Indian and international press have inflamed the conflict over hydropower and water resources in general in the Yarlung Zangbo/Brahmaputra. The tensions have been dubbed as the two countries’ “water war” (Zhang, 2016). In 2013, current Prime Minister Modi claimed in a campaign speech that “China is stopping the flow of the Brahmaputra” (Zhang, 2016). The Indian press and public are pushing the national government to negotiate a water-sharing agreement with China to ensure the country’s water security (Economic Times, 2015).

Future Possibilities

A legal framework for dispute resolution will be critical to China, India, Bangladesh, and surrounding countries to secure equitable access to the benefits of the Yarlung Zangbo/Brahmaputra River and prevent future conflicts. For now, India, China and Bangladesh will have to rely on existing diplomatic forums, such as the ELM and other standard diplomatic meetings, to discuss future hydropower developments. However, the following are potential paths forward to establish a context for formal dialogue and dispute resolution:

'====Data Sharing and Joint Fact Finding====

Although China and India currently share data related to flooding during monsoon season, it is not related to the influence of hydropower projects on stream flow or sedimentation. To provide a common foundation of information to solve disputes around hydropower and other issues, both countries need to engage in Joint Fact Finding to understand how current and future dams will affect downstream flows and sediment transfer. Given that the Chinese Academy of Sciences confirmed that the river originates from a glacier in Tibet, this same body could have the ability to provide a better understanding of the river’s downstream flow.

The Dhaka Declaration or the Closer Development Partnership as Potential Transnational Forums:

The 2010 Dhaka Declaration on Water Security proposed the creation of a dispute resolution mechanism, and could potentially be the vehicle for official creation of a transnational body. The stakeholders engaged for the purposes of the declaration could be re-engaged and asked to involve official government representatives as well.

In addition, although the Closer Development Partnership between India and China is a recent development for bilateral cooperation, this forum could be leveraged as a starting point for a formalized dispute resolution mechanism. At the very least, it would be beneficial for India to establish a bilateral dispute resolution mechanism if China is still unwilling to engage multilaterally.

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?

NSPD: Water Quantity, Water Quality, Ecosystems, Governance, Assets
Stakeholder Types: Federated state/territorial/provincial government, Sovereign state/national/federal government, Local Government, Community or organized citizens

Hydropower development is a priority for China and India for both poverty eradication and national electricity needs. However, environmental as well as equity concerns are relevant to both countries.


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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.



Tagged with: Brahmaputra Yarlung Zangbo Zangmu Dam Hydropower

References

References

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Facts about "Yarlung Zangbo / Brahmaputra River: Competing Priorities of Hydropower and Agriculture"RDF feed
Geolocation29° 10' 7.6364", 92° 31' 41.3242"Latitude: 29.1687879
Longitude: 92.5281456
+
IssueChina’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? +
Key QuestionWhat role(s) can hydropower play in a nation's energy strategy? +, What calculations and considerations should be investigated by countries looking to harness additional hydropower? Which potential outcomes should be investigated or identified? +, Where does the benefit “flow” from a hydropower project and how does that affect implementation and sustainability of the project? +, How do issues of equity and development impact the identification of stakeholders in cases involving hydropower or other revenue generating water infrastructure? + and How can mutual trust amongst riparians be nurtured? What actions erode that trust? +
Land Useagricultural- cropland and pasture +
NSPDWater Quantity +, Water Quality +, Ecosystems +, Governance + and Assets +
RiparianEfforts of Coordinating Joint Development of Hydropower Projects Within the Salween Basin + and Negotiations and Agreements Between Ganges River Basin Riparians 2008 Kosi Flood +
Stakeholder TypeFederated state/territorial/provincial government +, Sovereign state/national/federal government +, Local Government + and Community or organized citizens +
Topic TagBrahmaputra Yarlung Zangbo Zangmu Dam Hydropower +
Water ProjectBaglihar Hydroelectric Plant - Issue between Pakistan and India + Case Study of Transboundary Dispute Resolution: Multilateral Working Group on Water Resources (Middle East) +, China: The Three Gorges Dam Hydroelectric Project +, Conflicts over development in India's Narmada River Basin +, Creative Options and Value Creation to Address Water Security in the Eastern Nile Basin +, Efforts of Coordinating Joint Development of Hydropower Projects Within the Salween Basin +, Ilisu Dam Project, Turkey +, Impacts of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on Downstream Countries +, Integrated Joint Management Agreements of Mekong River Basin Riparians + and Integrated Management and Diplomacy Development of the Chao Phraya River Basin +
Water UseAgriculture or Irrigation +, Fisheries - wild + and Hydropower Generation +
Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Yarlung Zangbo / Brahmaputra River: Competing Priorities of Hydropower and Agriculture +, Yarlung Zangbo / Brahmaputra River: Competing Priorities of Hydropower and Agriculture +, Yarlung Zangbo / Brahmaputra River: Competing Priorities of Hydropower and Agriculture +, Yarlung Zangbo / Brahmaputra River: Competing Priorities of Hydropower and Agriculture + and Yarlung Zangbo / Brahmaputra River: Competing Priorities of Hydropower and Agriculture +