{"id":13037,"date":"2024-07-09T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-07-08T22:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/savetibet.nl\/nieuws\/taming-the-drichu-chinas-derge-dam-threatens-tibetan-culture-and-communities\/"},"modified":"2024-07-09T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2024-07-08T22:00:00","slug":"taming-the-drichu-chinas-derge-dam-threatens-tibetan-culture-and-communities","status":"publish","type":"nieuws","link":"https:\/\/savetibet.nl\/en\/news\/taming-the-drichu-chinas-derge-dam-threatens-tibetan-culture-and-communities\/","title":{"rendered":"Taming the Drichu: China\u2019s Derge Dam Threatens Tibetan Culture and Communities"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The people of Derge, a town in eastern Tibet, have risen up in opposition to the planned Kamtok (Ch: Gangtuo) hydropower project<\/a> in their region. China\u2019s move to build the dam despite local opposition is indicative of the Chinese government\u2019s willingness to disregard negative impacts on Tibetan communities upstream in order to provide energy to the Chinese towns downstream.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This report expands on the Derge (Dege) situation and delves further into some of the systemic dangers of China\u2019s dam-building spree on the Drichu (Jinsha) [1]<\/sup> river. We hope to elucidate the stark contrast between the Tibetan people\u2019s deep-rooted connection to their ancestral lands and cultural heritage in Derge and beyond, and China\u2019s authoritarian approach that views the displacement of Tibetans and the erasure of their civilization as an acceptable cost for serving the interests of the Chinese state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Much has already been reported regarding the feared submergence of Wont\u00f6 monastery and the displacement of upwards of 10,000 Tibetans due to the planned Kamtok Dam.[2]<\/sup> These fears reflect the familiar pattern of dislocation throughout Tibet, as recently reported by Human Rights Watch.[3]<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 2016, the Chinese government has intensified its efforts to forcibly relocate Tibetan populations under the guise of policy initiatives euphemistically labeled as \u201cextremely high-altitude ecological relocation\u201d and \u201ctargeted poverty alleviation.\u201d These programs are thinly veiled pretexts for the coercive displacement of Tibetans, facilitating the exploitation of Tibet\u2019s abundant natural resources. The implementation of these policies has resulted in the involuntary resettlement of hundreds of thousands of Tibetans from their communities, paving the way for the unimpeded extraction and utilization of Tibet\u2019s rich natural endowment, including minerals and water resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Historical and Cultural Significance of Derge<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

In recognition of Tibetan culture, the Derge Printing House (known in Tibetan as Derge Parkhang), founded in 1729 and housing 325,520 printing plates containing significant Tibetan Buddhist classics, was inscribed on UNESCO\u2019s Asia-Pacific Regional Register of Memory of the World on May 8, 2024.[4]<\/sup> China\u2019s state media claimed the National Archives Administration had proposed the nomination of this printing house. It is worth emphasizing that the printing house continues to use old techniques without the use of electricity. China\u2019s official state media Xinhua portrayed this inscription as a source of national pride for China, in line with its current policy of sinicizing Tibet and Tibetan culture as belonging to China.[5]<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yet despite China supporting UNESCO\u2019s recognition of Tibetan treasure, smuggled video footage of Tibetans emerged in early February this year of Tibetans in Derge pleading the government against their pending displacement and loss of several monasteries of religious, cultural and historical significance.[6]<\/sup> In the past, at least one of the monasteries at risk had been recognized as a site of cultural significance by the government of China.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"survey
A survey team led by Chi Kang, a member of the Derge County Party Committee, conducting field work at Changra (Gonya) Town, the proposed location for the Kamtok Dam, on 25 April 2024.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n


\"Protestors
Tibetan villagers at Yena Monastery in Dege County pleading with visiting local Chinese officials on 20 February 2024, against relocation to make way for the controversial Kamtok Hydropower project on the Drichu River. (Source: Radio Free Asia)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The historical and cultural area of Derge, known as the cultural hub of Kham, eastern Tibet, holds a special place in Tibetan history and cultural heritage. Derge was once a cradle of arts and culture, contributing significantly to the preservation and dissemination of Tibetan Buddhist teachings and literature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, the historical kingdom of Derge is divided by Chinese-imposed administrative boundaries across provinces, prefectures, and counties. Derge straddles the Chamdo prefectural-level city in the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) and the Kardze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, which is under Sichuan Province.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Drichu is the watershed boundary between the officially designated Tibet Autonomous Region and Sichuan Province. With its headwater in the mountains of Tibet, the Drichu travels through Tibetan territory and onwards for over 3,900 miles, making it the longest river in Asia and the third-longest river in the world, through ten provinces of China before plunging into the East China Sea near Shanghai.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tibetans in Derge have a close relationship with the Drichu, with villages and monasteries built near the river over centuries. In addition to the Derge Printing House, other structures of religious and historical significance include Wont\u00f6, Yena, and Khardo monasteries on the west bank of the river (falling under the administration of Derge County in Sichuan province), and Rabten, Tashi, and Gonsar monasteries on the east bank of the river (falling under the administration of Jomda county in the Tibet Autonomous Region). These monasteries came into focus early this year after Chinese authorities sent relocation orders to nearby villages to make way for the construction of a planned dam downstream at Kamtok, whose reservoir puts the villages and historical sites at risk of submergence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In total there are 57 monasteries in Derge County, according to a 1995 official Chinese internal document.[7]<\/sup> A 2011 public publication on \u201cTemple Records of Dege County\u201d lists the monasteries according to the sects as consisting of 18 Sakya monasteries, 14 Nyingma monasteries, 11 Kagyu monasteries, 10 Bon monasteries, and 4 Gelug monasteries.[8]<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most of the monasteries in Derge County are centuries old. The monasteries at risk of submergence due to the planned Kamtok dam are ancient, with their oral history dating back to the 7th century and the artworks inside the monasteries going back to at least the 14th century.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A large number of artifacts of religious and cultural significance are at risk of submergence. These include ancient Buddhist scriptures, thangka paintings, and other relics that hold immense cultural and spiritual value for the Tibetan people (The artifacts inside Wont\u00f6, Yena, and Khardo monasteries are documented in Appendix 1).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wont\u00f6 Monastery<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

\"Wont\u00f6
Full name: Wont\u00f6 Rabten Lhunpo Tse Monastery<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to oral history, the origin of Wont\u00f6 Monastery is attributed to a nephew of a descendant of the 7th century Tibetan king Tridhe Songtsen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The toponym \u201cWont\u00f6\u201d is derived from two distinct Tibetan terms. The first component, \u201cWonpo,\u201d translates to \u201cnephew\u201d and the second component \u201ct\u00f6\u201d translates as \u201cupper region\u201d and is a popular reference to western Tibet. As the legend goes, during his return journey from eastern Tibet, when he was asked by a local person who he was and to where was he proceeding, he responded that he was a nephew (Tibetan: Wonpo) of the Choegyal (a reference to the Tibetan King) and was heading towards the \u201cupper region\u201d (T\u00f6).[9]<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The more than one-thousand-year-old monastery is originally said to have been of Bon religion but was converted to the Sakya tradition of Tibetan Buddhism after Drogon Choegyal Phagpa (13th century head of the Sakya tradition who also assumed political power in Tibet) arrived at the monastery upon his return journey from China.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Wont\u00f6 Monastery stands as a remarkable testament to the resilience of Tibetan culture, having withstood the ravages of time and turmoil. Despite events such as the invasion of a rival ruler in the mid-19th century and the infamous Cultural Revolution during the Mao era, the monastery has managed to safeguard its priceless cultural artifacts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"14th
14th century murals in Wont\u00f6 Monastery offering a glimpse into the rich artistic traditions of Tibet.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the monastery\u2019s crowning glories lies in its exquisite murals, which have miraculously survived intact since the 14th century. These splendid works of art of the revered Lamdre lineage lamas, the Buddha, green Tara and many more adorn the walls as a testament to Tibetan history and deep-rooted Buddhist traditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yena Monastery<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

\"Yena\"
Full name: Yena Tashi Lhatse Thekchog Choekyi Gatsel Shedrub Dhargayling<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yena Monastery is, according to oral history, blessed by Drogon Choegyal Phagpa, under whose influence it converted to the Sakya tradition from Drukpa Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. This monastery was originally said to have been established by followers of Bon religion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The monastery holds a rich cultural heritage and is steeped in legends and folklore. It was once home to 700 monks, which testifies to its importance and influence in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The monastery was destroyed in 1967 at the beginning of the Cultural Revolution. After the Cultural Revolution, when the government of China adopted a relatively relaxed policy on religion, the devotees made efforts to preserve and revive the monastery.[10]<\/sup><\/a> In 1983, initiatives were taken to rebuild three temples and 45 monastic rooms, allowing the monastery to house around 80 monks again.[11]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khardo Monastery<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

\"Khardo
Full name: Thubten Phuntsok Shedrub Dargyeling Khardo Monastery<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded by Lotsawa Pagor Vairocana (8th century scholar and eminent translator), Khardo Monastery has a rich historical legacy spanning several centuries. Pursuant to the decree issued by Drogon Choegyal Phagpa, Khardo Monastery has been bestowed with the distinguished status and privileged standing as the second-highest monastic institution within the Sakya tradition, ranking immediately after the Sakya Monastery located in central Tibet. In the 8th Rabjung[12]<\/sup> (corresponds to 15th century), the monastery received a consecration of immense significance when Thangtong Gyalpo, a revered Tibetan sage and historical figure, performed the sacred rituals. Thangtong Gyalpo\u2019s involvement in the monastery\u2019s consecration further solidified its spiritual and cultural importance within the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khardo Monastery suffered destruction and desecration during the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976). Prior to the Cultural Revolution, there was no record of destruction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 1983, as China\u2019s policies towards religion became relatively more relaxed, efforts were made by devotees to revive and reconstruct Khardo Monastery. This initiative aimed to restore the monastery\u2019s physical structures and reinvigorate its spiritual practices, allowing the continuation of its centuries-old traditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Rivers
Rivers in Tibet (Image courtesy of Michael Buckley, author of Meltdown in Tibet)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From Drichu to Yangtze: The River Powering China<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Drichu from the mountains of Tibet flows downstream into China where it is known as Yangtze (Changjiang). The Yangtze River holds immense significance for China serving as an economic driver throughout China\u2019s history. The Yangtze basin (2000 miles from west to east and over 600 miles from north to south with one-third of China\u2019s population living in it[13]<\/sup>) feeds China\u2019s great granary, producing a significant portion of the country\u2019s agricultural output and is an engine for rapid economic growth accounting for around 30% of China\u2019s GDP.[14]<\/sup> The river connects China\u2019s interior to the coast facilitating trade and movement of people along the industrial belts and high-tech development zones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Modern China\u2019s thinkers and leaders had been envisioning harnessing the power of the river for China\u2019s thrust into economic development and modernity. The father of modern China, Sun Yat-sen, envisioned massive hydropower projects on the Yangtze to electrify central China, catapulting China into modernity. China has around 87,000 dams today according to the non-governmental organization International Rivers. The dams have been built to electrify China and redirect the flow of rivers, especially to northern China, for irrigation and to control flooding.[15]<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aside from envisioning rivers as a tool to catapult China into modernity, China\u2019s thinkers and leaders have fallen short of estimating a variety of costs that come with dams. Today, the Yangtze faces several environmental challenges that threaten its ecosystem and the communities that depend on it. These include pollution from industrial and agricultural sources, siltation, loss of biodiversity, shrinking wetlands and flooding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Climate change has serious implications for these rivers. In the context of Tibet\u2019s riparian systems, the climate crisis stands to impact rivers in multiple ways, especially the uncertainty of water volume in rivers. Predictions suggest that water flows will become uncertain with anomalous torrential downpours and accelerated snow melt. This uncertainty will almost certainly produce contrasting extreme effects of drought or flooding with the potential to exacerbate the frequency and severity of landslides. This is because changing precipitation patterns, rising temperatures, and glacial melt can all affect the stability of slopes and trigger landslides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Specifically, flooding along the Yangtze is a major concern. The rainy season in China is May through August, with the areas to the south of the river experiencing downpours in May and June while the areas to the north of the river experience a rainy season in July and August. Just as the river supports Chinese lives, it also takes scores owing to floods affecting the dense population along the river. Previous Yangtze flood-based deaths range from 3,004 in 1998[16]<\/sup> to 145,000 in 1931.[17]<\/sup>
\"Map
Map of active landslides in the upper Drichu region\u201d by Shengsen Zhou et al., Remote Sensing 16(1), p.100 Figure 3a, (2024), CC BY 4.0, https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Landslide Hotspot<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Changes in precipitation patterns, climate change, glacial lake outburst floods and landslides in the high-altitude Tibetan areas along the Drichu are all factors relevant to flooding in China.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Along the Drichu, several historical landslide-flood events have occurred, causing significant damage. More recently, in October 2018, a massive landslide occurred in Po (Bolo) Township in Jomda county on the west bank of the river. The landslide formed a barrier lake, rapidly raising water levels to approximately 5,600 meters in length, 200 meters in width, and 70 meters in height.[18]<\/sup> This geological disaster prompted the local government to evacuate over 6,000 people, with more than 20,000 residents affected by the barrier lake. The situation escalated on November 3, 2018, when the initial landslide was reactivated at the same site, blocking a section of the river once again. The resulting barrier lake led to the relocation of 67,449 people in Tibetan areas in Sichuan and neighboring Yunnan province. Two days later, when the water was discharged through a man-made floodway, the ensuing flood devastated several townships, including Drichukha, Kardze, Po and others. The 900-year-old Po Monastery, a significant religious and historical site, was completely submerged, with its invaluable relics ruined beyond repair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Drichu landslide mass remains a persistent threat, with no guarantee that a similar catastrophic event will not occur again. This geological event showed the vulnerability of communities and infrastructure along the Yangtze River basin to disasters exacerbated by human activities and climate change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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