The recent floods in Tibet and Nepal on August 26 have claimed 1,453 lives, with 5,200 people still missing on the Nepali side. Reports indicate that in Tibet, under Chinese control, there has been a lack of transparency about the disaster’s true impact. Beijing’s control over information means the death toll remains officially at 43, with further reporting constrained.
At the time of the flood, Kyirong County in Tibet introduced a WeChat system for people to report missing relatives. Once the count reached 219 missing individuals, the system was abruptly halted. Meanwhile, fines and detentions discourage citizens from posting contradictory information about the disaster on social media.
“Critics argue that such information control prevents scrutiny of factors leading to these disasters.”
Local communities and environmental groups have urged a halt to large dam projects. Many experts link these projects to regional disasters due to their impact on the ecosystem. China’s expansion into the Himalayas supports Nepal’s hydropower initiatives but is seen as a geopolitical strategy. This shift reduces Nepal’s energy dependence on India by providing Chinese electric vehicles and financing.
However, building dams in high-altitude regions where temperatures rise faster than the global average poses serious risks. Reservoirs under the Himalayan glaciers increase localized warming, akin to the warming observed in expanding natural glacial lakes. The accelerated melting leads to larger and more dangerous glacial lakes, threatening surrounding communities.
Warnings from scientists about glacial lake outburst floods have been consistent for decades. More than 14,000 lakes currently sit in the Himalayas, with their growing size creating imminent threats to life and infrastructure.
“The historical divide in environmental management practices between China and Tibet plays a crucial role in these challenges.”
China’s policies in Tibet often ignore local ecological knowledge and customs. Efforts to homogenize cultures through systems like the residential school approach risk losing valuable environmental insights. Indigenous wisdom is increasingly valued in global environmental solutions, yet Beijing’s tactics undermine this potential.
The environmental risks posed by such policies extend beyond Tibet. Failure of the numerous dams could lead to catastrophic outcomes throughout Asia, including locations as far-flung as Bangladesh and Vietnam.
In times of pressing climate change, some experts suggest China’s leadership could benefit from reflecting on its traditional wisdom. The riches of Tibetan culture might offer pathways to more sustainable practices beneficial not only to Tibet but to neighboring regions and China itself.
Tenzin Bhagen (Yeshi Dorje) is a Tibetan writer and former journalist who has worked in Himalayan environmental protection.
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