Two ICT representatives were able to take part in a colloquium in the French Senate in Paris on 3 December focusing on the issue of water management in the Himalayas and in particular in Tibet.
The panel was convened by Senator Jacqueline Eustache-Brinio, Chair of the French Senate’s Tibet Parliamentary Group – the “Groupe d’information internationale sur le Tibet” which was created in 2000 and includes 22 members of the Senate from all political groups. EU Policy Director Vincent Metten moderated the panel, which included Palmo Tenzin from ICT’s Berlin office; Dr. Dechen Palmo, from the Tibet Policy Institute in Dharamsala, India; and Tenzin Choekyi from Tibet Watch in London.
ICT report on Beijing’s dam projects in Tibet
In her remarks, Palmo Tenzin emphasised Tibet’s importance for Asia’s water supply. She also presented selected findings from the new ICT report on China’s dam projects in Tibet and informed the audience about the scale of Beijing’s unchecked dam construction in Tibet and the serious damage it is causing.
Dr. Dechen Palmo, connected via video, pointed out the geopolitical risks posed by China’s hegemonic approach. She emphasised the urgent need to promote cross-border data exchange in the region.
Tibetans protest against dam
Finally, Tenzin Choekyi focussed on the protests in the Derge district against the Kamtok (Gangtuo) dam and their suppression by the Chinese authorities. Choekyi explained the serious human, cultural and civilisational costs of China’s unrestricted hydropower projects.
The colloquium was attended by several senators as well as Tibet supporters and members of the Tibetan community in Paris. Vincent Metten and Palmo Tenzin were also able to give a radio interview about ICT’s report on dams in Tibet during their stay in the French capital. Excerpts from this have been included in a report by the franceinfo radio station.