India’s Siang Project: A Response to China’s Mega-Dam Sparks Unrest in Arunachal Pradesh

To counter the potential impact of a massive Chinese hydroelectric project, India has initiated the 11,200-megawatt Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) in the state of Arunachal Pradesh. However, members of local indigenous communities are protesting, fearing that the project could lead to the loss of their ancestral lands, livelihoods, and cultural heritage.

The Siang River—known as the Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet—flows through Arunachal Pradesh and into Assam, where it becomes the Brahmaputra before continuing into Bangladesh. China is set to begin construction on a colossal hydroelectric project with a capacity of approximately 60,000 megawatts in the Medog area of ​​Tibet by July 2025. India is concerned that operations at this upstream facility could, in the future, disrupt water flow and compromise its water security.

Meanwhile, various local organizations are opposing the proposed Siang project. They argue that the creation of a large reservoir could destroy ancestral settlements, agricultural land, and their traditional way of life. Local groups, including the 'Adi Bane Kebang,' have demanded the cancellation of the project; these tensions have already led to protests and clashes with security personnel.

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has stated that no final decision regarding the project will be made until the completion of surveys and feasibility studies. Beyond the concerns of the local population, questions have also been raised regarding the seismic risks inherent to the Himalayan region and the potential environmental impact. Consequently, there is a growing demand to determine the future of the project by carefully balancing India’s strategic water security objectives with the rights of the indigenous communities.