Aware of China's plan to build dam on Brahmaputra: Centre

India has taken note of China's announcement of a mega dam project on the lower reaches of the Yarlung Tsangpo (upper reaches of the Brahmaputra) in Tibet Autonomous Region, the environment ministry informed Rajya Sabha on Thursday.

- Jayashree Nandi

NEW DELHI:

Responding to questions by All India Trinamool Congress MP Sushmita Dev on whether the government has started any evaluation of the transboundary environmental impact of the Brahmaputra dam project by China, particularly its effects on biodiversity and ecosystems downstream in the country, Kirti Vardhan Singh, minister of state for environment, Kirti Vardhan Singh said: "Government carefully monitors all developments relating to the Brahmaputra river, including plans by China to develop hydropower projects, and takes necessary measures to protect the interests of the nation."

Various issues relating to transborder rivers are discussed with China under the ambit of an institutionalized Expert Level Mechanism which was established in 2006, as well as through diplomatic channels.