China Plans to Dam the Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet

Thanks to a Canadian writer and photographer, Michael Buckley, we know a little more about China's plans to dam the Brahmaputra River’s water source, the Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet. Buckley is sceptical about Chinese claims that the dam will not impact India since the first dam, known as the Zangmu Dam, currently spans half-way across the river. This is only the beginning; five dams in total are planned for the river. Buckley produced a film about these plans to dam the river called Meltdown in Tibet:

http://www.meltdownintibet.com/sf_trailer.htm

The Canadian writer was recently interviewed by an Assamese newspaper, the Assam Tribune, please see the full article below which was published on the 6th December 2010:



The height of Zangmu Dam which is currently under construction is estimated at 116 metres and 390 metres in length; it is expected to produce 540 MW of electricity.

An NGO based in Assam in North-East India called the Assam Foundation-India is also concerned about China's dam plans. In November 2010, the popular Assamese monthly magazine Reporter published an article about the Assam Foundation-India’s campaign to protect the Brahmaputra River and raise awareness about Chinese plans to dam the water source of this river. It was reported by Mr. Mukut Kumar Choudhury and included information about Japanese journalist Yukifemi Takeuchi who visited Assam in July 2010 to meet with the Assam Foundation-India's Chairman, Arnab Jan Deka and visit the Brahmaputra River. His findings were reported in Japan's second largest newspaper Asahi Shimbun. Please read about the article below:



Tensions about the dam are mounting, and a recent protest took place in Assam; thousands attended. The protest was reported on the 7th of January 2011 by the Assam Tribune:



The periodical Assamese magazine Prantik published an article about The Assam Foundation-India’s Brahmpuatra campaign on the 1st of January 2011. Please click on the link below to read the full article:


If you are interested in supporting the Assam Foundation-India's cause please support it by joining the cause page on Facebook:

http://www.causes.com/causes/347386-save-the-brahmaputra-river?m=bfa368e5