Thaindian News

Shillong, Dec 8 (IANS) Noted environmentalist Sunderlal Bahuguna Wednesday said that construction of dams in the border state of Arunachal Pradesh is a serious security threat to India as it is an easy target for China.

“It is disastrous to construct dams in a border state like Arunachal Pradesh. It will be an easy target for China. They can bomb them anytime if there is a war,” Bahuguna told IANS on the sidelines of a conference on “Sustainability: Management and Beyond” hosted by IIM-Shillong (Indian Institute of Management).

The hill state of Arunachal Pradesh shares a 1,030-km unfenced border with China. The Central Electricity Authority has estimated the potential from 89 big hydroelectric projects in Arunachal at 49,126 MW while smaller ones are expected to generate another 1,600 MW.

Urging people in the region to oppose construction of dams in the state, the green warrior said these dams would kill the Brahmaputra river and the people in downstream of Assam and Bangladesh. “It will devastate the environment and uproot people for short-term benefits.”

Various groups in Assam have opposed the construction of 2,000 MW Lower SubansiriHydro Electric Power Project in Arunachal Pradesh that began in 2003, citing adverse ecological impact on downstream areas.

The 2,906-km long Brahmaputra is one of Asia’s largest rivers that flows 1,625 km in Tibet, 918 km in India, and 363 km through Bangladesh before converging into the Bay of Bengal.

“It (dam) is a temporary solution to a permanent problem. After sometimes, these dams will stop the natural flow of the river and destroy the river’s ecology,” said Bahuguna, winner of the ‘Asian Nobel Prize’, the Magsaysay award.

However, the Chipko movement leader suggested large-scale plantation of trees along the ranges as a solution. “Make the Himalayas a continuous dam by planting trees. Trees will attract more rains and give more water.”

Stating that a third world war over water will be inevitable if governments do not wake up now, Bahuguna said that nations all across were facing water scarcity due to drastic changes in ecology.

“People are fighting for drinking water and you must have heard China diverting its river (Brahmaputra),” he said.

“These are the possible signs of a third world war,” the Padma Vibhushan award winner added.

The India-China border along Arunachal Pradesh is separated by the McMahon Line, now known as the Line of Actual Control.

India and China fought a border war in 1962, with Chinese troops advancing deep into Arunachal Pradesh.

China has never recognised the 1914 McMahon Line and claims 90,000 sq km - nearly all of Arunachal. India also accuses China of occupying 8,000 sq km in Kashmir.