Hydropower cooperation between India and Bhutan should not only help achieve the larger aspirations of the Bhutanese people for peace, prosperity and happiness but also further strengthen bilateral bonds.
Research Analyst, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr Opangmeren Jamir’s paper ‘Opinion: Decision-makers in Arunachal Pradesh need to take EIAs seriously’ has been published in ‘The Third Pole’ on 04 February 2022.
The recent passage of the Dam Safety Bill by the Indian parliament will only address part of the problem if environmental impact assessments are faulty, says Dr Jamir.
As and when the draft Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) 2020 is finalised, it is expected to incorporate the perspectives of multiple stakeholders in a balanced manner.
Research assistant IDSA, Dr Opangmeren Jamir’s article on UN Report Human Rights Violations in Kashmir, titled ‘Understanding the UN Report on Human Rights Violations in Kashmir’ was published in South Asia Journal on August 12, 2018.
Research Assistant, IDSA, Dr Opangmeren Jamir’s article on Indo-Sino water sharing, titled ‘Deepening Indo-Sino bilateral relation in river-water sharing’ was published in Foreign Policy News on April 29, 2018.
Dr Jamir argues that in the Indo-Sino bilateral relationship, the sharing of river-water resources has increasingly become decisive factor particularly in recent years, and insists that the issue should be resolved on the basis of mutual respect and sensitivity of each other’s concern interests and aspiration.
While hydropower projects are critical for economic growth and development, it is equally important to fully assess their potential social and environmental impact in the long-term. The challenge lies in finding the right balance between the need for development and the necessity of protecting the environment.
Belt and Road Initiative and Environmental Challenges
Several Belt and Road Initiative projects pass through ecologically sensitive areas and in countries with weak environmental laws and governance.