Tsering Dhundup
DHARAMSHALA, Dec 10: A report released by the International Campaign for Tibet reveals that the Chinese government is causing irreversible harm to the economy, livelihood, cultural preservation and ecology due to the construction of hundreds of dams in Tibet, impacting and displacing around 1.2 million Tibetans due to these infrastructure projects.
“The scale and scope of the PRC’s hydropower dam spree is both unbelievable and unconscionable,” stated Tencho Gyatso, President of ICT. “Beijing’s disrespect for the Tibetan people’s rights, its neighbors’ fate, and the urgent moral and scientific demand to combat climate change could not be clearer. China must be stopped in its tracks and called to use its money, manpower, and innovation to advance solutions—not its political maneuvering.”
Tibet, which is home to the headwaters of eight major rivers in Asia, is central to China’s hydropower plans. The report details the construction or planning of hundreds of dams since the year 2000, of which at least 193 hydropower dams have been planned or have been built across Tibet, representing an unprecedented scale of hydropower expansion in recent years. If completed, the projects could displace 1.2 million people, damage religious sites, and disrupt the region’s ecology.
The report features a ‘Geographic Information System’ (GIS) map, providing a detailed view of how these projects will impact local populations, landmarks, and landscapes. Large-scale hydropower projects threaten climate stability by affecting ecosystems, displacing carbon sinks like forests, and contributing to methane emissions. Furthermore, the lack of a cooperative water management framework increases tensions with countries like India, Nepal, and Bangladesh, which rely on Tibetan rivers.
The report also highlights the dangers posed by dam construction in seismic areas. While dams can help manage flooding, their location on fault zones—such as the Dadu, Yalong, Lancang, Salween, and Yarlung Tsangpo Rivers—creates risks of disasters like earthquakes, landslides, and flash floods. A 2012 study found that nearly half of western China’s dams are in high seismic hazard zones. In September 2024, the 6.8 magnitude earthquake that hit Luding county on the Jinsha river in the Kardze (Ganzi) caused over 4,000 landslides and 93 deaths. In 2018, landslides on the Jinsha River resulted in evacuations, economic losses, and increased disaster risks.
The report stresses the need to address the growing environmental and human rights issues in Tibet. One key recommendation is to halt large-scale hydropower projects, which pose risks to Tibet’s ecosystem and local communities. The report calls for respect for Tibetan communities’ rights, emphasizing the need for free, prior, and informed consent regarding development projects.
ICT advocates for investment in renewable energy, such as solar and wind power, designed to be sustainable, culturally respectful, and co-managed with local Tibetan populations. The report also recommends establishing multilateral water policy forums to ensure responsible management of transboundary water resources and regional cooperation.
The report also states that sustainable solutions must involve Tibetan people in decision-making processes, and calls for dialogue between the Chinese government and representatives of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to ensure the protection of Tibetan rights and autonomy.
