Brahmaputra colour change not man-made: China

Smita Sharma

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Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 2

China on Tuesday refuted media reports that blamed Chinese project constructions for water quality problems in certain sections of the Brahmaputra river.

Some recent media reports had suggested that Beijing was building dams in the upper Yarlung Tsangpo river region that was the cause for Brahmaputra waters to turn black in some parts.

Additionally, some other reports surfaced of strong earthquakes in Tibet that led to formation of three huge artificial lakes in the Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Bend Region. Serious questions were raised about the threats posed to Assam and other places along the Brahmaputra river following this development, but China has dismissed news of artificial lakes. 

Spokesperson of Chinese Embassy in India, Counselor Xie Liyan said in a statement, “According to the investigations by relevant departments of China, a 6.9-magnitude earthquake stuck Milin County of Nyingchi City in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China at 6 am on November 18, 2017. The Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Bend Region was seriously affected by the earthquake, resulting in shattered land surface, reduced vegetation, and soil exposure.”

The statement further added, “Massive landslide and collapsing occurred along the Yarlung Zangbo river range, causing negative impacts on water quality of the river. Indeed, water in the Motuo sector of the Yarlung Zangbo river turned turbid. However, according to analysis of satellite images, environmental and hydrological data, there have been no large-scale human activities around relevant sections of the Yarlung Zangbo river.”

Beijing maintains that it is not in violation of any existing agreement and remains in touch with the Indian side “on the issue concerning trans-border rivers through existing channels”.

“The change of colour of water in the lower reaches of the river should have been caused by natural factors, including earthquakes, rather than man-made incidents, and there were no artificial lakes in relevant parts of the Yarlung Zangbo river. The Chinese side will stay in touch with the Indian side,” stressed Counsellor Xie.