china river

After the celebrations over reopening border trade at Nathu La, a distinct dampener is the news that China is building a hydroelectric power station in western Tibet.The project involves storing the waters of the Sutlej River as it flows into Himachal Pradesh.China says building of the hydroelectric station on the Sutlej River in Tibet and this will not affect flows to India. But experts in India warn that with the Himalayan lakes drying up, India cannot afford to allow China to dam upstream rivers.

"In future it would be much more critical because most of the lakes, streams are in the upper reaches and any construction in this area would have implications for India's security in the long run," China specialist Srikanth Kondapalli said.The hydro power station has been under construction over the last three years in Zenda in Tibet, which is directly opposite Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh.

Experts say China has built as many as 13 barrages in the area over the last many years.But the concern is that in the long term, as the demand for water increases in China and India, these barrages could interfere with the flow of waters into India It is not clear if India has taken up the issue with China as the foreign office is refusing to clarify. But experts say it is not too late to do something even now.

The 1984 Peace and Tranquility Agreement and the 1986 Confidence Building Agreement are very comprehensive in terms of both sides abiding by norms and regulations. So it is possible for India to push through some kind of understanding over the Sutlej," says Srikanth Kondapalli.China is also reported to be building similar barrages that would dam the Brahmaputra before it enters India in Assam.