Question : DIVERSION OF BRAHMAPUTRA WATER

(a) whether the State Government of Arunachal Pradesh has expressed their apprehension that China has diverted water of Brahmaputra river which has dried up in Arunachal Pradesh recently;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto;

(c) whether the Government has raised the issue with the Chinese authorities;

(d) if so, whether China has denied diversion of river Brahmaputra and construction of large dams in Tibet; and

(e) if so, the reaction of the Government thereto and the further steps taken/being taken by the Government in this regard?

THE MINISTER OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS(SHRI S.M. KRISHNA)

(a) to (e) A Statement is laid on the table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (A) TO (E) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.107 REGARDING “DIVERSION OF BRAHMAPUTRA WATER” FOR ANSWER ON 21.03.2012

Government is aware of concerns in Arunachal Pradesh in this regard. Government has clarified that changes in river flows are a natural phenomenon dependent on various hydro-meteorological and climatological factors. There has neither been any abnormal rise nor fall in water flow of River Siang. India has raised trans-border river issues with the Chinese side on many occasions including at the highest level. During his visit to India in December 2010, the Chinese Premier conveyed that China’s development of upstream areas of the Brahmaputra will never harm downstream interests. Government has ascertained that construction activity on the Brahmaputra River at Zangmu on the Chinese side is a run-of-the-river hydro-electric project which will not adversely impact the downstream areas in India.