China's Mega-Dam Risks: Earthquakes and Wildlife

China has commenced construction of the world's largest hydropower installation in Tibet's Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon. This monumental $167 billion project, set to feature five dams with a 70-gigawatt capacity, is being built atop an active seismic fault line. Scientists have raised alarms about the inherent risks of earthquakes and potential landslides due to the site's unstable terrain, urging for enhanced safety measures.

The dam's construction also poses a significant threat to the region's rich biodiversity. The gorge is a critical habitat for endangered wildlife, including snow leopards, Bengal tigers, and Tibetan brown bears, as well as unique flora. Further downstream, the river flows into India, where concerns are mounting over China's potential control of water resources. India is responding by planning its own large dam to mitigate potential water-related conflicts.