The Three Parallel Rivers
The Tibetan plateau is also known as the “Water Tower of Asia.” is the origin of major Asian rivers. The most of the riparian countries are dependent on rivers flowing from Tibet. Previously, rivers in Tibet were considered pristine, well preserved and unaffected by human activity. However, this all changed under China’s occupation and its abuse of natural resources.
The World Wildlife Fund classifies the Three Parallel Rivers among one of the top ten endangered rivers of the world. The Drichu (internationally known as the Yangtze), the Gyalmo Ngulchu (Salween) and the Zachu (Mekong) together form the Three Parallel Rivers’ World Heritage Site (TPRWHS).[1] The three are regarded as one of the most biologically rich and temperate regions of the world due to their topography and geographical location. These rivers run virtually parallel to each other from north to south. Below is a Chinese sourced map, which illustrates the location of these three Tibetan rivers. [2]
Location of The Three Parallel Rivers as indicated on a Chinese map
While the potential for power generation from three parallel rivers is large, so too is the potential for adverse ecological effects as the gorges of these rivers are still young, active and prone to geological formation. The Yangtze River is the longest river in Tibet and third longest river in the world next to Amazon and Nile. The Yangtze runs for 6380 kilometers whereas the Mekong and Salween are 4500 kilometers and 2736 kilometers respectively.[3] The source of the Yangtze lies deep within the Thangla Mountain of Amdo, northeastern Tibet. This river is fed by a multitude of tributaries along its course towards the southern section of the Tibetan plateau, where it subsequently flows into China and finally runs into the East China Sea. Its importance is rooted in the historical and socio-economic development of China, and supports over millions dependent on its fishery and shoreline agriculture.
Similarly, the Mekong is the twelfth longest river in the world, also originating from a remote sector of Thangla Mountain. The Mekong is one of the largest trans-boundary rivers on Earth, running across six countries: China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam and eventually disperses into the South China Sea. Much like the Yangtze, the Mekong possesses great economic value as the river houses the largest population of fresh water fish. The hydro projects on the Lancang (upper Mekong) can greatly impact water flow, fisheries and agriculture, ultimately affecting people across South East Asia who are dependent on these river.
Finally, the Salween, unlike the Yangtze and Mekong, is sourced from Nagchu, located in the northern region of the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR). Its current drifts through south west China, Myanmar and Thailand and ultimately reaches its delta at the Andaman Sea of the Indian Ocean. Salween is the last free flowing river in South East Asia.[4] Realizing its potential gain, the Chinese government had proposed sequential construction of mega dams on Salween that would generate more power than the Three Gorges Dam, which is currently the world’s largest hydropower station.[5] However, in 2005, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee issued a warning against damming in the region, consequently halting government construction plans. [6]
However, According to South China Morning Post[7], on 23 of January 2013, the State Council has released an energy sector blue print for 2011-2015 in which it decided to construct at least 54 hydropower station with total capacity of 120 GW on the upper reaches of Yangtze, Mekong and Salween.[8] It clearly disregards the geological risk, bio diversity, resettlement and impact on downstream nation. This plan also includes the reopening of previously shelved damming projects on Salween River due to environmental concerns.[9]
Chinese Construction of Dams on the Three Parallel Rivers
The preservation of these rivers are important, yet China continues damming on rivers on the Tibetan plateau. The Chinese Government earmarked $ 3 billion for the construction of first of twelve planned hydropower mega bases in Tibet. The Suwalong hydropower plant is projected to generate more power with a design capacity of 1.2 gigawatts), when completed in 2021. [10]On its completion, the Suwalong will become the largest hydropower plant in the fragile Tibetan ecosystem, at a staggering 112 meters high and with double the capacity of Zangmu Dam, which is on Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra River). At present, the Zangmu is the largest functioning dam in Tibet, demonstrating the sheer enormity of the Suwalong, which will provide electricity from the junction of Markham and Batang in eastern Tibet to economically well-off regions in East China for rapid industrialization and mining purposes.
China’s plan to build successive dam is clearly a strategic maneuver. As Tibet is the source of most of these international rivers, China being the upper riparian of these rivers and has access to these rivers first. Being in this position, China has the ability to control downstream nations for political and economic gain. China’s hydro-behavior with other neighbors may serve as a key to understand its approach. Moreover, China has largely met its ambitious goals for hydropower development set out in its twelfth five–year plan (2011–15)[11].
A profusion of dams are to be built on the upper reaches of the Yangtze, Salween and Mekong, with sites already allocated for more dams. Disturbingly, these projects could be completed within two decades and fulfill China’s objective to triple hydropower capacity by 2020. This is all despite evidence condemning the construction and existence of dams due to adverse problems pertaining to landslides, flooding and pollution.
Previously, Chinese authorities announced the construction of thirteen dams on the upper reaches of the Salween in 2003.[12] Advocates of dam claimed that once built, this cascade of dams would generate more electricity than the Three Gorges Dam and it will bring modernization and poverty alleviation to some of China’s poorest region [13] However, for unknown reasons, recently hydroelectric work on tributaries of the Nu River (upper reaches of Salween River) was halted and to be replaced by construction of a national park in its place. With this latest announcement of halting construction[14], will China cease plans to dam on the Salween?
Effects of Damming Tibetan Rivers
In 1949, China had only 22 large dams but over the last six decades, it has constructed more than 80,000 dams.[15] Collectively, they generate 300 gigawatts of power, which is roughly three times that of US production levels. The government claims that dams have the potential to save locals from floods and provide a cleaner alternative to coal. However, some hydrologists counter these claims, declaring that there is a huge environmental price to pay. For instance, sediment and a shifting gravel floor will obstruct turbines and buildup of sediments on the reservoir floor, creating more floods and destroying the baseline for ecological security. Additionally, the disruption of water flow in the lower regions due to damming on the upper reaches may cause and/or amplify the effects of drought. Furthermore, Chinese geologists Xu Daoyi and Sun Wenpeng warn that the effects of tectonic activity in the region have heightened the occurrence, frequency and impact of natural disasters, such as earthquakes and mudslides.[16]
Despite the successful construction of large dams by the Chinese government, no fixed steel and concrete dam can withstand the sheer ferocity of nature, nor can anyone or anything prevent a mountainside collapse, landslides, earthquakes and mudslides. On May, 2016, 5.5 magnitude earthquake near the Three Parallel Rivers demonstrates the fragility of the land and how construction of mega dams in these locations could magnify the effects of natural disaster.[17] In 2012, a study conducted by Probe International mentioned that “more than 99.7 percent of large dams in western China (in Tibet) are located in zones of moderate to very high seismic hazard (as defined by UN global seismic hazard assessment program)”[18] Failure of one dam could cause a negative chain reaction in dams downstream. With hundreds of millions of liters of water along with rock, mud would rush downstream, potentially crossing over into other countries creating floods.
The area is also home to 7000 plant species and eighty rare/endangered animals. Construction of mega dams will moreover cause the displacement of tens of millions of people. Twelve years after the construction of the Three Gorges Dam, thousands of relocated people continue to petition the government. They claim that they were forced to leave their farms and businesses, cheated out of promised housing and compensation, with some now living in destitution. [19] but Chinese government always maintained consistency in its response to such accusations: Denial; promise to consult; and, carry on regardless.
The worst Yangtze floods in China of August 1998 resulted in an economic loss of US$ 37.5 billion and the death of 3656 people.[20] At a rally on 28 September of that year, held in Beijing by the communist party to declare “victory” over the disastrous summer floods, President Jiang Zemin admitted in a significant ideological departure that communist governments had too often tried to impose its will on nature. It was important now, he said,” to understand the law of nature, correctly manage it and learn how to follow it to facilitate our economic development and other social undertaking”.[21] Now is China following what was once said by its leader?
What should be done?
The Three Parallel Rivers have their source in Tibet. These three parallel rivers are recognized by UNESCO as the Natural World Heritage Site because these rivers are one of the top ten endangered rivers of the world. Despite these challenges, by the end of last year China’s top scientific body CAS (Chinese Academy of Sciences) revealed that large areas of the Tibetan plateau are suffering from desertification and the situation will only get worse, potentially reducing future water flow to the rest of China and South Asia.[22]
So, These River should be well respected by all the countries and should be treated as a natural platform to promote peace and harmony by converting the plateau into a zone of peace, as proposed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in his Five-Point Peace Plan of 1987.
Only when the international community comes together to make a joint effort to stop China from continuing damming of Tibetan plateau, China will cease construction plans. Ethically, morally and for the survival of Asia’s million, there is a clear need to save Tibetan rivers from ecological devastation.
Therefore, China should allow civil society and downstream nations to have say in planning and implementation of Chinese damming projects. Before China moves forward with any further projects on upper parts of Trans Boundary Rivers, the government should actively engage with the scientist and experts and riparian countries.
Regional forum like (Mekong River Commission and other Regional Organizations) should take more active role in safeguarding and ensuring that people downstream have full access to fresh water. If these issues are not addressed in the near future, the scarcity of water will become with biggest challenge to overcome. It is predicted that seventy-five percent of the world’s population will face fresh water scarcity by 2050. People across the world need to come together and actively promote the protection of Tibetan rivers.
[1] Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas. (2016, may). Retrieved from UNESCO: http://whc.unesco.org.en.list/1083
[2] Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas. http://www.absoluteChinatours.com/Lijiang-attractions/three-parallel-rivers-1859.html
[3] Tibet 2000, Environment and Development Issue, Environment and Development Desk, DIIR, CTA, 2000.
[4] Salween/nu River. (2016, may 20). retrieved from international rivers-people,water.life: https://www.internationalrivers.org/campaigns/salween-nu-river
[5] ibid.
[6] ibid.
[7]Jing,L. (January, 2013)Ban lifted on controversial nu river dam projects‘ Retrived from South China morning post, ‘http//www.scmp.com/news/China/article/1135463/ban-lifted-controversial-nu-river-dam-projects
[8] international rivers China moves to dam the nu, ignoring seismic, ecological, and social risks, http://www.internationalrivers.org/resources/China-moves-to-dam-the-nu-ignoring-seismic-ecological-and-social-risks-7807
[9] South China morning post, ‘Ban lifted on controversial nu river dam projects‘ January, 2013
http//www.scmp.com/news/China/article/1135463/ban-lifted-controversial-nu-river-dam-projects
[10] China builds hydropower station on upper Yangtze, Xinhua 2016-04-28,
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-04/28/c_135321156.htm
[11] international hydropower association, https://www.hydropower.org/country-profiles/China
[12] Salween/nu River. (2016, may 20). retrieved from international rivers-people,water.life: https://www.internationalrivers.org/campaigns/salween-nu-river
[13] . Pingyang Zhou, “(“Inauguration of Liuku Hydropower Station”), Yunnan ribao, 19 July 2003 (cited 3 November 2004), http://www.xb.yn.gov.cn/new/15.htm.
[14] Leavenworth,S. China may shelve plans to build dams on its last wild river, http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/05/160512-China-nu-river-dams-environment/
[15] China, international rivers, http://www.internationalrivers.org/programs/chijn
[16] lui jianqiang,march,2011″China and the world discuss the environment, At fault on the Nu River the Nu River: https://www.Chinadialogue.net/article/show/single/en/4174-At-fault-on-the-Nu-River
[17] Xinhua,march 2016,5.5 magnitude earthquake hits tibet,
http://www.Chinadaily.com.cn/China/2016-05/11/content_25206874.htm
[18] John Jackson (2012), A Probe International Study, Earthquake Hazards and Large Dams in Western China.
[19] Leavenworth,S. China may shelve plans to build dams on its last wild river, http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/05/160512-China-nu-river-dams-environment/
[20] Tibet 2000, Environment and Development Issue, Environment and Development Desk, DIIR, CTA, 2000
[21] Lawrence,S.V.1998.China:seeing the green right. in far eastern economic review,22october,pp.21-28
[22] Beth walker, China plans more dams and mega infrastructure in Tibet
https://www.thethirdpole.net/2016/03/21/China-plans-more-hydro-projects-and-mega-infrastructure-in-tibet/
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*Dechen Palmo volunteer for the Tibet Policy Institute. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of the Tibet Policy Institute.