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Brahmaputra water flow being monitored

By Kalyan Barooah

NEW DELHI, Sept 1 � Following China�s bid to divert the water of the Brahmaputra river, the Central Water Commission (CWC) has set up a station near the border with China to monitor the flow of of the river water.

The Ministry of Water Resources (MoWR) has informed that the CWC has established a site near the Indo-China border to observe the flow of water in the Brahmaputra River, a Report tabled in the Parliament said.

The flow of water in Brahmaputra River, when it enters India, according to a survey conducted by the CWC is 78 Billion Cubic Meter (BCM), the Ministry has notified.

A report by the Department Related Parliamentary Standing Committee attached to MoWR, stated that when asked whether China proposes to construct a dam upstream of Brahmaputra inside its territory, the Government informed that the issue was raised several times with China.

But each time China denied the media reports but conceded that there exists a MoU, under which China is required to provide flood season data on River Brahmaputra to facilitate better flood management by India.

In absence of any international treaty or convention between India and China, the issue of construction of dam and diversion of water, Brahmaputra the issue was taken up through Ministry of External Affairs, which only met with denial by China, the Committee, headed by Dip Gogoi was told.

The Report tabled in the Parliament on Tuesday, however, pointed out that subsequent media reports stated that China has conceded construction of dam but denied diversion of water of Brahmaputra River.

The matter should be taken up at the highest level with China through diplomatic channels to clear the misgivings of the people of India, the Parliamentary Panel recommended.

The Report stated that the Ministry of External Affairs has informed that the issue was taken up in April last, and Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said that Zangmu hydropower station, whose construction is yet to start, is small with its main function being generation of power and not water supply. The power station would not have an adverse impact on the downstream area, India was told.

The matter was further raised during the India-China Strategic Dialogue held between Foreign Secretary and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister in November last. During the meeting it was stated Zangmu power station would not reduce flow of water to the lower reaches. It would also not have an impact on the environment.

During the construction and operation of the station, China would ensure that they would carry out sound management, so that it does not negatively impact on the downstream, Beijing assured.

The Parliamentary Panel was told that the matter was discussed during the visit of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao to India in December last. He said that on trans-border Rivers, China would proceed from scientific studies, taking into account the interest of both upper and lower reaches. Government keeps a constant watch on all developments, in this regards, it was stated.

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