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Monday, August 4, 2025

Siang Project Dispute: Hydropower, Indigenous Rights, and Geopolitics in Arunachal Pradesh

 

Siang Project Dispute: Hydropower, Indigenous Rights, and Geopolitics in Arunachal Pradesh

✍️ For UPSC GS Paper 1, 2, 3, 4 | Prelims + Mains | Ethics & Governance Case Studies


📍Context: Why in News?

Activists and indigenous farmers in Arunachal Pradesh have urged the Central Government to halt the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP), citing the massive displacement of the Adi tribe, submergence of villages, environmental loss, and coercive tactics.

At the heart of the issue is China’s 60,000 MW Medog Hydropower Project on the Yarlung Tsangpo, the upper stream of the Siang-Brahmaputra River, which has been cited as a reason to fast-track India's 11,500 MW SUMP project.


📚 Relevance to UPSC Syllabus

PaperTopic
GS Paper 1Indian Society – Tribal Issues; Geography – River Systems & Interlinking
GS Paper 2Federalism, Governance, Civil Society, India-China Relations
GS Paper 3Environmental Conservation, Infrastructure Development, Disaster Management
GS Paper 4Ethics – Environmental Ethics, Human Rights, Conflict of Interest

🔎 What is the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP)?

  • A proposed 11,500 MW hydropower project on the Siang River in Arunachal Pradesh.

  • Part of a ₹1.13-lakh crore infrastructure plan, aimed at power generation and geopolitical deterrence.

  • Criticised for:

    • Submerging 27 villages

    • Displacing 1.5 lakh+ members of the indigenous Adi tribe

    • Affecting forest lands, farmlands, and sacred cultural sites


🗺️ Geographic Background

  • Siang River: Enters Arunachal Pradesh from Tibet (where it is called Yarlung Tsangpo).

  • Joins Dibang and Lohit Rivers in Assam to form the Brahmaputra.

  • China’s Medog Project is located in the Great Bend area of Yarlung Tsangpo — a seismically active and ecologically fragile zone.


🌏 Strategic & Geopolitical Concerns

IndiaChina
Concerned about China diverting the Yarlung TsangpoAsserts Medog is a clean energy initiative
SUMP seen as a defensive projectPlans to generate 60,000 MW in Tibet
Possible impact on water flow to Assam & BangladeshNo environmental transparency with India

India considers SUMP a strategic counter, but activists argue this justification is being used to push through the project without local consent.

👥 Civil Society & Tribal Opposition

  • The Siang Indigenous Farmers’ Forum (SIFF) is leading the resistance.

  • Allegations include:

    • Coercion of village heads to sign feasibility agreements.

    • Use of military presence to suppress dissent.

    • Ignoring cultural and environmental concerns of tribal communities.

👉 Ethics Angle: Is it justifiable to violate rights in the name of national security?


🌱 Environmental Concerns

IssueImpact
DeforestationSubmergence of forests and biodiversity zones
Displacement1.5 lakh+ people, mostly from Adi tribe
River EcologyAltered river flow, erosion, sedimentation in Brahmaputra
Climate RiskSiang Valley lies in a seismic zone, prone to landslides and floods

🧾 Relevant UPSC PYQs (Past 8 Years)

❓GS Paper 1 – Society (UPSC 2023)

Q: Examine the challenges faced by tribal communities in India in protecting their cultural identity while being integrated into mainstream development.

➡️ Relevance: Adi tribe’s cultural heritage and habitat threatened by SUMP.


❓GS Paper 2 – Governance & Federalism (UPSC 2021)

Q: “Cooperative federalism is affected when states are bypassed in decision-making.” Comment.

➡️ Relevance: Arunachal villagers claim they were not consulted meaningfully by Centre.


❓GS Paper 3 – Environment & Disaster Management (UPSC 2020)

Q: What are the environmental implications of river interlinking projects? What strategies can ensure environmental sustainability?

➡️ Relevance: Siang project raises environmental alarm similar to large river interventions.


❓Prelims PYQ – 2022

Q: Consider the following statements:

  1. Yarlung Tsangpo is the upper stream of the Brahmaputra.

  2. It flows through India before entering Tibet.

Correct Answer:Only Statement 1 is correct.
Explanation: Yarlung Tsangpo originates in Tibet and enters India as Siang.


✍️ Mains Model Questions

GS Paper 2 (250 words)

Q: The Siang Upper Multipurpose Project reflects the challenges of balancing strategic interests, tribal rights, and ecological concerns. Examine the role of cooperative federalism and participatory governance in resolving such disputes.


GS Paper 3 (150 words)

Q: Large-scale hydropower projects in ecologically sensitive zones often lead to irreversible damage. Discuss the need for Environmental Impact Assessments and community consultations in the context of Arunachal Pradesh.


🧠 Ethical Issues (GS Paper 4)

Ethical ThemeCase Insight
Conflict of InterestDevelopment vs. tribal displacement
Rights vs. UtilityNational security vs. cultural survival
Coercion & ConsentAlleged pressure on village leaders
Transparency & AccountabilityMilitarisation and lack of consultation
Environmental EthicsLong-term loss of biodiversity and sacred sites

🔍 Keywords for Answer Writing

  • Yarlung Tsangpo

  • Indigenous Rights

  • SUMP Project

  • Medog Hydropower Station

  • Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

  • Participatory Governance

  • Cultural Displacement

  • Ecological Fragility

  • Seismic Zones

  • River Diplomacy

  • Transboundary Rivers

  • Strategic Infrastructure


🏛 What Should Be Done?

✅ Way Forward for Policymakers

  • Conduct fresh Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) with tribal representation

  • Mandate Free Prior Informed Consent (FPIC) under Forest Rights Act

  • Promote alternative clean energy with less displacement

  • Launch joint monitoring mechanism with China for transboundary rivers

  • Balance national security with constitutional and ecological ethics


📢 Suryavanshi IAS Says:

“SUMP is not just a power project; it is a test of how India balances development, diplomacy, and dignity.”
Let us prepare not just to crack UPSC but to serve India with insight and empathy.

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