Stop Selling China Mega Dam Bogey to Push Siang Project: Arunachal Pradesh Activists to Centre
In Arunachal Pradesh, local activists and indigenous groups have vocally opposed the Central Government’s narrative that the controversial Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) is essential as a countermeasure to China’s mega dam on the Brahmaputra upstream. They have demanded that the government stop using the “China mega dam bogey” to justify pushing forward the large dam project in the Siang river basin without the full consent and understanding of the affected communities.
Background and Context
The Siang Upper Multipurpose Project aims to build a massive hydroelectric dam with a capacity of approximately 11,200 MW on the Siang River, a major tributary of the Brahmaputra. The project is touted by the Arunachal Pradesh government and Centre as vital for national security and water resource management, especially in response to China’s construction of the Medog Dam upstream in Tibet.
However, the project has faced strong resistance from local indigenous communities, environmentalists, and student organizations, who fear irreversible ecological damage, displacement of villages, loss of biodiversity, and cultural disruption. Moreover, these activists assert that:
The government’s security narrative exaggerates the threat from China’s dam to silence legitimate voices of protest.
The concerns of over 27 villages potentially affected by submergence and socio-economic upheaval have not been adequately addressed.
Environmental risks stemming from the fragile Eastern Himalayan ecosystem and seismic vulnerabilities have not been sufficiently evaluated through inclusive processes.
Militarization and heavy deployment of security forces in the region have heightened tensions and created an atmosphere of intimidation rather than dialogue.
Activists’ Key Demands to the Government
Cease using China’s mega dam construction as a singular justification for progressing with Siang dam construction plans.
Initiate transparent, inclusive, and sustained consultations involving all local stakeholders before any further surveying or construction.
Address environmental and social safeguards comprehensively, ensuring no irreversible harm is inflicted on communities and ecosystems.
Respect the rights and voices of indigenous populations and uphold international standards for Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC).
Engage in diplomatic talks with China to seek mutually agreeable arrangements for transboundary water sharing and management, rather than unilateral megaprojects.
Current Status and Challenges
Recent field activities by the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC), including pre-feasibility surveys, have been met with protests and sabotage by local residents, who damaged drilling equipment and blocked access. Monsoon disruptions have also delayed progress. The Centre has proposed development and livelihood programmes to win local trust, but skepticism persists.
Many observers note that the government's strategy of emphasizing strategic competition with China risks overshadowing the pressing social and ecological realities faced by Arunachal’s inhabitants.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Arunachal Pradesh Activists’ Opposition to Siang Project and China Mega Dam Bogey
Q1: What is the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP)?
It is an 11,200 MW hydroelectric dam project planned on the Siang River in Arunachal Pradesh, aimed at power generation, irrigation, and flood control.
Q2: Why is the government pushing the Siang dam project?
The project is presented as a strategic response to China's upstream dam on the Brahmaputra, to secure water resources and support national security.
Q3: Why are local activists opposing the Siang dam?
Activists cite risks of displacement, ecological damage, loss of biodiversity, disruption to indigenous cultures, and inadequate consultation with affected communities.
Q4: What do activists mean by the “China mega dam bogey”?
They argue that the government exaggerates the threat from China’s dam to justify the Siang dam project without properly addressing local concerns.
Q5: How are local communities responding to NHPC’s survey work?
There have been protests, equipment damage, and obstruction of survey activities, reflecting strong local resistance.
Q6: What environmental concerns are associated with the Siang dam?
Concerns include ecological degradation of the river basin, risks in an earthquake-prone zone, glacier lake outburst floods (GLOFs), and loss of medicinal plants and endemic species.
Published on: August 3, 2025
Published by: PAVAN
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