Himalayan Rivers & Hydropower: A Growing Threat | Science

In May, India’s Forest Advisory Committee approved the Etalin Hydropower Project, which aims to generate 3097 MW of hydroelectric power to meet the country’s energy needs. This will require building dams on the Dri and Tangon rivers, which will divert water away from 1175 ha of forest (278,000 trees) (1, 2). Similarly, China’s Lower Yarlung Tsangpo Hydropower Project, which commenced in July, will affect water flow into India’s Brahmaputra River (3). Although hydropower can provide energy security and support the transition to clean energy, these and other Himalayan rivers are vital for biodiversity and for the livelihoods of local communities. Hydropower projects pose environmental threats. Regional collaboration could mitigate environmental and societal risks while safeguarding energy security.