India Plans Upper Siang Hydropower for Strategic Edge

Why in the news?

India’s proposed 11,000 MW Upper Siang Hydropower Project in Arunachal Pradesh counters China’s 60,000 MW Yarlung Tsangpo dam. It addresses energy needs while considering ecological preservation and the cultural significance of the Adi Tribe in the region.

India Plans Upper Siang Hydropower for Strategic Edge

Project Overview

  • India plans to build the Upper Siang Hydropower Project on the Siang River in Arunachal Pradesh.
  • Proposed capacity: 11,000 MW, developed jointly by NHPC and NEEPCO.
  • Strategically counters China’s 60,000 MW Yarlung Tsangpo dam in Tibet.
  • Estimated cost: ₹1,13,000 crore, with a reservoir capacity of 9 billion cubic meters.

Cultural and Ecological Significance

  • Located in the Upper Siang district, home to the Adi Tribe, indigenous to the region.
  • The Adis practice pani kheti, settled agriculture along riverbanks essential for survival.
  • Rich cultural heritage includes festivals like Solung (harvest festival) and Aran (hunting festival).
  • Skilled in crafting bamboo and cane items; their Motor or Pator system involves lockdowns for medicinal herb searches during epidemics.

Strategic and Environmental Considerations

  • Aims to address geopolitical concerns over China’s dam project.
  • Requires a delicate balance between energy generation and the preservation of ecology and culture.
  • Emphasizes sustainable development to protect the region’s biodiversity and tribal heritage while meeting energy demands.

Upper Siang Hydropower Project: Key Details

  • Location: Siang River, Upper Siang district, Arunachal Pradesh
  • Capacity: 11,000 MW hydropower plant
  • Strategic Purpose: Counter China’s 60,000 MW Yarlung Tsangpo dam
  • Developers: NHPC and NEEPCO
  • Pre-Feasibility Report: Submitted December 2022
  • Reservoir Storage: 9 billion cubic meters
  • Estimated Cost: ₹1,13,000 crore
  • Community: Adi Tribe, with strong ties to the Siang River
  • Agriculture: Pani kheti, settled farming along riverbanks
  • Adi Tribe Cultural:
  • Language: Tibeto-Burman, originating from southern China
  • Craftsmanship: Skilled in cane and bamboo items
  • Festivals:
  • Solung (Harvest)
  • Aran (Hunting)
  • Unique Practice: Motor/Pator system, village lockdowns to find wild herbs during epidemics

Sources Referred:

PIB, The Hindu, Indian Express, Hindustan Times