Explainer: Siang Upper Multipurpose Project In AP And Resistance Against It

Arunachal Pradesh has sought to the deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) amid protest from locals against Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP). Authorities have renewed the push to pre-construction activity to begin pre-feasibility report survey to asses probable cost of proposed 11000 megawatt Siang Upper Multipurpose Dam project and its feasibility in the area.

However, the Siang district is gearing up to receive CAP forces amid local opposition against the project due to the fear of wiping of Adi community, displacement and negative impact on climate.

Local are opposing the construction of dam on Sing river under the leadership of Siang Indigenous Farmers’ Forum (SIFF).

What Is Siang Upper Multi-Purpose Storage Project

SUMP is proposed 11000 megawatt hydro power project, for which dam is to be built on Siang river in Arunachal Pradesh. The ambitious power project is to be India’s largest power project after construction.

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Authorities propose to build the dam on the Siang River. The river originates from Mount Kailash Tibet and enter Arunachal Pradesh as Siang and later becomes Brahumputra in Assam. National Highdroelectric Power Corporation is to built the project, identifying three sites along the Siang river -Ugeng, Dite Dime, and Parong. The 300-metre high dam was initially proposed as two separate projects, consolidating into one larger project in 2017.

How Project Will Counter China’s Hydel Projects

The key objective of the project is to strategically counter China’s hydel projects in Tsangpo. It intends to avert the threat of flash flood and water scarcity that China’s 60,000 MW ‘Super Dam’ in Tibet’s Medog county poses against India, by diverting water towards northern China. According to Jal Shakti Ministry it well store 9 billion cubic metres of water, meeting the irrigation need of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam in case China diverts flow of river.

Why Locals Are Against India’s Ambitious Project

Destruction of local habitat, displacement and environmental effect are among the reasons behind the protest against Siange Upper Multipurpose Project.

Talking to media persons, SIFF president Gegong Jijong said that the proposed dam is threatening the existence of Adi community, because the construction of the dam will submerge two districts, thereby wiping out the Adi culture and tradition completely.

Large scale of deforestation will take place to meet the land requirement for the project and it will become the reason of carbon emission. The project will also affect the another realm of ecosystem as in Uttarakhand leading to cloudburst flash floods.

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Along with these, project threats the livelihood of locals as they are dependent on these rivers for their cultural practices and bread and butter.

Moreover, the indiscriminate construction in valleys has caused sliding of hills. Campaigns like ‘Save Kinnaur’ and ‘No Means No’ in Himachal Pradesh intends to prevent further expansion of hydropower projects due to effect of climate.