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Daily Mains Question – GS 1 – 29th July 2025

  • Writer: TPP
    TPP
  • Jul 29
  • 4 min read
Daily Mains Question – GS 1 – 29th July 2025

Welcome to your daily Mains Model Answer — crafted to explore the intricate interaction between physical geography and strategic development, a critical theme in GS Paper 1 under Geographical Features and Their Location. Today’s question delves into the geomorphological features of the Yarlung Tsangpo River Basin and its growing significance in global hydropower development, especially in the context of regional geopolitics and environmental change.

Originating near Mount Kailash in the Tibetan Plateau, the Yarlung Tsangpo River—known as the Brahmaputra in India and Bangladesh—traverses some of the world’s most complex and tectonically active landscapes. With features such as the Great Bend and one of the world’s deepest river gorges, the river has attracted increasing attention from China and India for hydropower exploitation. This basin represents a confluence of geomorphological dynamism, water resource politics, and climate-induced vulnerabilities—making it a key focus area in GS Paper 1 (Physical Geography and Environmental Geography).

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QUESTION

Examine the geomorphological characteristics of the Yarlung Tsangpo River Basin and critically assess its strategic and environmental significance in the context of global hydropower development.

Answer: The Yarlung Tsangpo, often referred to as the highest river in the world, originates from the Chemayungdung glacier near Mount Kailash on the Tibetan Plateau. The river traverses approximately 2,900 km, passing through China (Tibet Autonomous Region), India (Arunachal Pradesh and Assam), and Bangladesh, where it becomes the Brahmaputra. Covering a basin area of over 500,000 sq. km, about 80% of it lies in China and India (Rampini, 2021). The river exhibits a distinct geomorphological character, especially with the formation of the Great Bend near Mount Namcha Barwa, making it a significant site for hydropower development.


Geomorphological Features of the Yarlung Tsangpo River Basin


  1. High-Altitude Origin and Plateau Flow

    • The river originates at an altitude of over 5,000 meters and initially flows eastwards along the Trans-Himalayan fault system across the arid Tibetan Plateau, forming an antecedent river system.

    • The valley here is broad and U-shaped, formed by glacial and fluvial processes.


  2. The Great Bend and Deep Gorge Formation

    • Near Mount Namcha Barwa (7,782 m), the river takes a sharp U-turn — known as the “Great Bend” — and flows southward into India.

    • This area features one of the deepest gorges in the world, with an estimated depth of 5,300 meters, surpassing even the Grand Canyon.

    • The gorge is a result of rapid tectonic uplift combined with intense river incision.


  3. High Sediment Transport and Erosion

    • The steep gradient and intense monsoon precipitation downstream contribute to high sediment load and erosion, particularly in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.


  4. River Confluences and Braided Channels

    • In India, it is joined by rivers such as the Lohit and Dibang and assumes the name Brahmaputra.

    • The river’s course in Assam is marked by braided channels, meanders, and frequent flooding during the monsoon.


  5. Seismic and Tectonic Activity

    • The basin lies in one of the most tectonically active zones of the world — the Himalayan seismic belt — making dam construction both a technical and environmental challenge.


Significance in Global Hydropower Development


  1. High Hydropower Potential

    • Due to its steep gradient, massive discharge (average annual flow ~165.4 billion cubic meters), and deep gorges, the Yarlung Tsangpo is ideal for run-of-the-river and reservoir-based hydropower projects.

    • China has identified this region as a site for a mega hydropower project near the Great Bend with a capacity of up to 60 GW, potentially the largest in the world.


  2. Existing Infrastructure

    • China has already built several dams:

      • Zangmu Dam (completed in 2014)

      • Pangduo and Zhikong dams on tributaries like the Lhasa River.

    • India has approved multiple hydropower projects in Arunachal Pradesh such as Siang Upper Stage I & II, Dibang Multipurpose Project, and more.


  3. Climate Change and Glacier Melt Contribution

    • The river is glacier-fed, and studies (ICIMOD, IPCC) project glacier mass losses between 15% and 78% by 2100, impacting seasonal river flow and potentially increasing short-term runoff and long-term water scarcity.


  4. Geopolitical and Strategic Significance

    • The river flows across the disputed McMahon Line, intensifying the India-China border tensions.

    • The absence of a legally binding international water-sharing treaty among China, India, and Bangladesh escalates concerns over transboundary water governance.


  5. Flood Management and Risk to Downstream Nations

    • Bangladesh, being the lowest riparian country, faces significant flood threats due to upstream activities.

    • The monsoon-fed lower basin is particularly vulnerable to flash floods and sedimentation, aggravated by uncoordinated upstream interventions.

The Yarlung Tsangpo River Basin is a geomorphological marvel that embodies a unique blend of tectonic dynamism, glacial origin, deep gorges, and high-energy river systems. With its massive hydropower potential, it holds global strategic importance for clean energy, especially in the context of renewable energy transition. However, the river also represents a geopolitical flashpoint due to border disputes, lack of cooperative frameworks, and environmental risks. A multilateral river basin treaty and sustainable development approach are essential to balance regional cooperation, ecological preservation, and energy needs.

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