Introduction

In Arunachal Pradesh, the proposed 11,000 MW Upper Siang Multipurpose Storage Project on the Siang River has sparked significant controversy. While the project is seen as crucial for national security and energy production, local communities are raising serious environmental and social concerns.

The Upper Siang Project: An Overview

• The Upper Siang project, set to be built by the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC), entails constructing a 300-meter high dam on the Siang River in Arunachal Pradesh’s Upper Siang district.
• Originating near Mount Kailash in Tibet, where it is known as the Tsangpo, the Siang River traverses over 1,000 kilometers before entering Arunachal Pradesh.
• Downstream, in Assam, it becomes the mighty Brahmaputra.
• Initially, the government planned two separate hydel projects on the Siang River—Siang Upper Stage-I (5,500 MW) and Siang Upper Stage II (3,750 MW).
• However, in 2017, these plans were replaced with a single, larger project of 11,000 MW capacity.
• This dam would be the largest in the subcontinent, and it forms a key part of India’s strategy to counter China’s hydropower projects on the Tsangpo.

National Importance and Strategic Imperatives

• Officials emphasize the strategic importance of the Upper Siang project, particularly in response to China’s plan for a 60,000 MW ‘Super Dam’ in Tibet’s Medog County.
• This super dam’s capacity would be nearly three times that of the world’s largest hydropower station, the Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River.
• The Upper Siang project is seen as a necessary measure to counter potential water flow reductions caused by China’s projects.

Environmental and Social Concerns

• Despite its national significance, the Upper Siang project faces stiff opposition from local communities and environmental activists.
• Three anti-dam organizations—the Siang Indigenous Farmers Forum (SIFF), Dibang Resistance, and North East Human Rights—have voiced their concerns about the project’s environmental and social impacts.
• Arunachal Pradesh is already home to numerous dams, and its rivers have borne the brunt of hydropower projects for years.
• The proposed mega dam threatens delicate ecosystems, wildlife habitats, and biodiversity.
• Additionally, activists worry about the displacement of local communities, particularly the Adi tribe. The project could submerge over 300 villages, including the Upper Siang district headquarters of Yingkiong.

Local Resistance and Government Response

• Local resistance to the project is strong. SIFF activists expressed their concerns about the displacement of villages in the valley along the Siang.
• They noted that if the villages were submerged, residents would have nowhere to go since moving further uphill, where there is snow and ice, would be unfeasible.
• They pointed out that survival would be difficult there, as there would be no opportunities for farming or maintaining gardens.
• Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has acknowledged these apprehensions, stating that the project will proceed “only with the people’s consent.”
• However, authorities have accelerated pre-construction activities, increasing the urgency among those resisting the project.
• NHPC officials have met with state leaders to discuss early commencement of Siang basin projects, and the Upper Siang district administration has held multiple meetings to lay the groundwork for a pre-feasibility survey.

Public Outreach and Concerns Over Framing

• The government is launching a massive public outreach campaign to drum up support for the project.
• NHPC has sanctioned a ₹325 crore CSR package for livelihood schemes and the development of health, education, and sports infrastructure.
• However, activists remain wary of the project being framed as a matter of national interest.
• They are particularly concerned about a provision in the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act of 2023, which exempts strategic projects within 100 km of India’s borders from clearance.

Conclusion

The Upper Siang hydropower project represents a complex clash between national interests and local livelihoods. While the project is critical for India’s strategic positioning and energy needs, it poses significant environmental and social risks. Addressing these concerns through transparent dialogue and inclusive policy making is essential to finding a balanced solution that respects both national priorities and the rights of local communities.