Protests have escalated in Arunachal Pradesh against the proposed 11,200-megawatt Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP), a massive hydropower and water-storage initiative on the Siang River. Indigenous communities, particularly the Adi, fear widespread displacement, significant environmental degradation, and the loss of ancestral lands and traditional livelihoods.
The Siang Upper Multipurpose Project Explained
The Siang Upper Multipurpose Project is envisioned as one of India's largest hydropower developments, located on the Siang River in Arunachal Pradesh. Beyond generating electricity, the project aims to store and regulate river water, offering flood moderation and bolstering India's water security. State-run NHPC was tasked with preparing the pre-feasibility report in April 2022, examining several alternative locations. However, the project remains in the assessment stage, with no final approval for construction.
Strategic Link to China's Upstream Dam
The Siang River originates in Tibet, where it is known as the Yarlung Tsangpo. China's construction of a massive hydropower project on the lower reaches of the Yarlung Tsangpo has raised significant concerns in India about upstream control over this crucial transboundary river. India's Ministry of External Affairs has consistently monitored China's plans, emphasizing the need for transparency and safeguarding downstream interests through diplomatic channels. Proponents of SUMP argue that a large storage facility on the Indian side could mitigate risks from sudden changes in water discharge upstream.
Why Indigenous Communities Are Protesting
For communities living along the Siang, the project represents an existential threat. They fear that the vast reservoir could submerge villages, agricultural lands, forests, and culturally significant areas, leading to irreversible changes in the river ecosystem. Residents also express grave concerns about the safety of constructing such a mega-dam in the seismically active Himalayan region. The Siang River is deeply intertwined with the cultural identity and daily lives of these indigenous groups, who demand comprehensive consultation before any further progress on the project.
Recent Escalation and Government Response
Protests intensified on October 23, following a 12-hour shutdown (bandh) called by several organizations across Siang, Upper Siang, and East Siang districts. Demands included halting pre-feasibility activities, releasing arrested activists, and withdrawing security forces. While the bandh was largely peaceful, violence erupted in Pasighat after it concluded, with reports of an NHPC office, a police station, and several police vehicles being set ablaze. Approximately 40 security personnel were injured, leading authorities to impose restrictions on public gatherings.
Arunachal Chief Minister Pema Khandu has acknowledged the complexity, stressing the need to balance national security with environmental concerns and the rights of local communities. He has met with legislators and indigenous organizations, expressing concern over misinformation and reiterating that public consensus must be central to any decision moving forward.