GUWAHATI, Dec 14 - Asking the Narendra Modi-led Union Government to take up the issue of water diversion from the river Brahmaputra with neighbouring China, Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) vice president Dilip Kumar Saikia today said that it was a question of survival for the riparian States of the North East.
The AGP leader submitted a detailed memorandum regarding this to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj, Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Uma Bharati, and Minister of Environment Forest and Climate Change, Prakash Javadekar.
�The Brahmaputra is the lifeline of Assam. But, China has been constructing mega dams, huge water reservoirs, and canals on the river diverting its water for its mega power projects and also to meet acute domestic water needs of the north China. Though initially, the claim had been vehemently denied by China, it had to accept the same as the satellite images proved the apprehensions right. Nearly 200 billion cubic meter of Brahmaputra water would be diverted through this project,� he told media persons here.
�China�s use of the river has been ecologically and environmentally unsafe and may have devastating consequences to the riparian countries, including India and Bangladesh. India may rightfully ask China to share detailed information for assessing the implications on construction of mega dams and hydropower projects on transnational rivers and insist on scientific consultation on such mega projects having consequences on ecology, environment and economy of our country,� the memorandum stated.
Arguing that the total of 39 mega hydel projects and water reservoirs on the Brahmaputra, planned by China, is not something that could be avoided any longer, Saikia said that the situation is already alarming as the neighbouring country has constructed two reservoirs of 42 and 31 million cubic meters at the Great Bend of the Brahmaputra, which is just 60 to 70 kilometres from the Gorging village of India.
�Since the Brahmaputra, the Indus and the Sutlej are transnational rivers, the issue may be taken up diplomatically with China and if need be, the same may be referred to the international agencies for early redressal of the issue in the larger interest of India and the riparian States of the country in particular,� added the memorandum.
