Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP)
Context:
From a serene vantage point overlooking the grey-green Siang River, its calm winter demeanor belies the turbulence it brings during the monsoon.
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- The surrounding hills, fertile farmlands, and orange-laden trees paint a picture of prosperity.
- Yet, for villagers like Dubit Siram, 30, from Parong, the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) casts a looming shadow of uncertainty.
Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP)
In Arunachal Pradesh (Upper Siang district), it is a significant hydropower initiative aimed at generating 11,000 megawatts of electricity. This project is being developed by the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) and is seen as a strategic response to China’s plans for a massive dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo river, which could impact water resources in India and Bangladesh.
The Stakes for Local Communities
- Parong, one of three villages along the Siang River earmarked for the project, faces the potential loss of its agricultural land and homes.
- The region’s dependence on farming is critical, with residents growing paddy, millets, vegetables, and the area’s renowned oranges.
- Limited alternative employment opportunities make agriculture vital for survival.
- Demonstrations against the project have intensified, fueled by the state’s decision to deploy Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) to the area.
- Memories of past violence, such as the 2016 police shooting of two anti-dam activists in Tawang, have heightened tensions.
Government’s Push and Local Opposition
- The state government argues that the project is crucial to counter potential threats from China’s dam-building activities upstream in Tibet.
- Chief Minister Pema Khandu has described the SUMP as a necessary safeguard, emphasising that without it, sudden water releases from China’s dam could devastate Arunachal Pradesh and beyond.
- Officials warn that China’s planned 60,000-MW dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo could divert water, threatening downstream ecosystems and communities.
Cultural and Environmental Concerns
- For the Adi tribe, the Siang River, referred to as Aane (mother), is deeply revered.
- After India’s independence, settled agriculture along its banks replaced shifting cultivation in the hills, making the river integral to the community’s livelihood and culture.
- Rituals and protests have become commonplace, with villagers gathering on bridges to pray for protection.
Efforts to Bridge the Divide
- While the state claims to seek dialogue, locals accuse officials of coercion and inadequate communication.
- Public meetings have been scarce, and promises of compensation remain vague.
- Despite assurances from NHPC and government representatives that the survey is only a preliminary step, villagers fear irreversible consequences if the project proceeds.
Siang River
Known as the Tsangpo in Tibet, it is a vital waterway that originates from the Chema Yungdung glacier near Mount Kailash. It flows eastward for approximately 1,625 kilometers before entering India at Tuting in Arunachal Pradesh, where it is called the Siang. In India, it flows through the Upper Siang district for about 52 kilometers before merging with the Lohit and Dibang rivers in Assam, ultimately forming the Brahmaputra River. The Siang River is often referred to as the lifeline for several indigenous tribes, including the Adi, Memba, and Khamba. For these communities, the river is integral to their livelihoods, culture, and traditions.
Way Ahead
- As resistance builds, the state government remains determined to proceed, citing national importance.
- However, the battle between preserving livelihoods and pursuing developmental goals has highlighted deep divisions, underscoring the complexities of balancing progress with community rights and environmental sustainability.
