The Brahmaputra: Myth, majesty and politics of water

India Today

2 days ago

News: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Tuesday if China were to reduce the water flow of the Brahmaputra, it would benefit the state and help it mitigate the devastating annual floods. He was responding to Pakistan's remark that China might weaponise the Brahmaputra's waters in support of its 'all-weather friend' and retaliate to India's suspension of the Indus Water Treaty.advertisementPerspective: A River With A Male NameThe Brahmaputra, like every river that flows through the Himalayas, has its own history and mythology. But there is a difference between other Indian rivers, revered as goddesses, and the Brahmaputra: It is one of the few major rivers in India with a distinctly male name, derived from its mythological association with Lord Brahma.The Brahmaputra is believed to have two mythological fathers - Lord Brahma (obviously) and sage Shantanu. In the 16th-century text Yogini Tantra, dedicated to the worship of goddesses like Kali and Kamakhya, the river is linked to an ancient ablution ritual with the following invocation:
O Son of Brahma! O Son of Shantanu! O Lohit! O Son of Lohit!I bow before you, wash away my sins of the last three births.What's the link to Brahma—the God of creation?advertisementAccording to eastern folklore, sage Shantanu and his wife Amogha live near Lake Lohit in the Himalayas. One day, attracted by her beauty, Lord Brahma approaches Amogha when she is alone. But Amogha locks herself up in a hut. Fearing her curse, Brahma sheds his seed and departs in shame. When Shantanu learns of this, he asks Amogha to consume the seed. From her nostrils later flows the son of Brahma, ergo the name Brahmaputra.A Himalayan LegendAccording to Tibetan folklore, the river originates as a small stream from Mount Tise (the Kailash Parvat–abode of Lord Shiva). At the site of its birth, the river is guarded by four divine entities—a lion, an elephant, a horse, and a peacock.For the indigenous communities of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, such as the Mising, Bodo, and Adi, the Brahmaputra is a living deity. In The Tribes of Assam (B.N. Bordoloi), the Mising people refer to the river as 'Father River' or a manifestation of Abo Tani, their ancestral deity.In Assam, the Brahmaputra is celebrated during festivals like Bihu, where communities honour the river for its bounty. The legendary singer Bhupen Hazarika's ode to the river - Mahabahu Brahmaputra - is considered one of the greatest Assamese songs.Where does the river originate?advertisementThe Brahmaputra, known as the Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet, Siang or Dihang in Arunachal Pradesh, and Jamuna in Bangladesh, takes on different names along its journey. During the 18th and 19th centuries, British colonial rulers, restricted from entering Tibet due to political constraints, sent Indian explorers disguised as monks to trace the Brahmaputra's path. In the early 20th century, the source of the Brahmaputra was eventually traced to the Chemayungdung Glacier in the Kubi Kangri mountain range in southwestern Tibet, near the Himalayas. This glacier, located at an elevation of about 5,200 meters, was identified as the primary source of the Yarlung Tsangpo, which becomes the Brahmaputra downstream.What's the path of the river?From the Chemayungdung Glacier, the mighty river crisscrosses three countries - China, India, and Bangladesh - before merging with the Padma River (the main distributary of the Ganges) in Bangladesh. Joined by the Meghna River, it forms one of the world's largest river confluences, emptying into the Bay of Bengal. Its total journey from the source to the sea is approximately 2,900 kilometers.It descends the Himalayas in dramatic fashion, plunging through the Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon, the world's deepest gorge, on the Tibet-Arunachal Pradesh border.advertisementChina is building a gigantic dam in Medog, where the river plunges 2,000 metres over a 50-km stretch. In India, the proposed dam on the Tibet-Arunachal border to harness this steep decline for hydel power has led to environmental concerns and fears of weaponisation of the river. (More about it later)The Great BendAs the river makes its way through the Himalayas, it comes across Namcha Barwa, a 7,782-meter peak, often called the 'eastern anchor' of the range. Unable to breach the mighty barrier, the river makes a sharp, U-shaped bend, known as the Great Bend. With this stunning manoeuvre, the river swings from flowing eastward to southward, entering India through Arunachal Pradesh, where it is known as the Siang River (or Dihang).Flowing through Northeast India, it enters the plains of Assam, where it acquires the popular moniker—the Brahmaputra. In Assam, the river widens significantly, flowing west-southwest for about 800 km through a broad, fertile valley covering major towns like Dibrugarh, Guwahati, and Dhubri.After this, it enters Bangladesh, where it is hailed as the Jamuna River. It continues to flow south, merging with the Padma River (the main distributary of the Ganges) in Bangladesh. Joined by the Meghna River, it forms one of the world's largest river confluences. The Meghna, now the river's main channel, empties into the Bay of Bengal.advertisementThe crossing of the MeghnaIncidentally, in the 1971 India-Pakistan war, the Indian army crossed the Meghna River in heroic fashion. The crossing of the Meghna under Lt General Sagat Singh is considered one of the most daring acts of war, a raid that turned the tide of the war for the liberation of Bangladesh.Can China block the river?Completely blocking the Brahmaputra is impossible since the Brahmaputra collects almost 40 percent of its water while flowing through India. Unless this huge basin is altered, the Brahmaputra would continue to feed India, and also Bangladesh.So, India shouldn't worry about China's potential weaponisation of water?China's upstream dams could still manipulate flows, creating risks of artificial floods or droughts, as noted by geostrategist Brahma Chellaney. Chellaney argues China's control over the Tibetan Plateau gives it unparalleled dominance over Asia's water resources (Water: Asia's New Battleground). Its upstream location allows China the liberty to unilaterally manipulate river flows, which can be used to artificially create droughts and floods in India.In addition, China's plan to build a massive dam on the Brahmaputra near the Great Bend is a seismic and strategic risk for India. Chellaney argues the project could manipulate transboundary flows to leverage China's claim over Arunachal Pradesh, a disputed territory, and exert pressure on downstream nations.advertisementWhat's China's view on this?China has consistently dismissed concerns about its planned hydropower dam as 'conspiracy theories,' asserting that the project is a run-of-river initiative that will not significantly alter the river's flow or affect the rights of downstream nations.According to a statement from Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning on December 27, 2024, the dam, located in Medog County, Tibet, has been studied for decades with rigorous scientific evaluations to ensure safety and ecological protection. Mao emphasised that the project 'will not negatively affect the lower reaches,' referring to India and Bangladesh, and is designed to accelerate clean energy development and combat climate change.However, experts and downstream nations remain skeptical of China's assurances. A 2024 study in the Journal of Indo-Pacific Affairs warned that the Medog dam could disrupt sediment flow, critical for agriculture in India's northeastern plains and Bangladesh's delta, impacting millions of farmers.A 2022 report by Bangladesh's Ministry of Environment estimated that a 5% reduction in Brahmaputra flow could lead to a 15% drop in agricultural output in some regions, threatening food security.ConclusionWater is a precious commodity, especially in the 21st century, where environmental changes could lead to scarcity and flooding. Any country that has the ability to maintain the flow of a dynamic river like the Brahmaputra enjoys a strategic as well as hydrological advantage. India will have to deal with China diplomatically on the issue of the Brahmaputra. It will have to ensure the river is treated as a shared asset and heritage of the three countries through which it passes, not allowing Pakistan to needlessly meddle in the tripartite issue. India and China, as major powers focused on economic and technological growth, recognise the value of cooperation over conflict, reducing the likelihood of escalating tensions over the Brahmaputra at Pakistan's behest.Must Watch