Tibetans Defending Ancestral Lands from China's Dam Projects

In the glossy pages of 'China's Tibet,' a state-backed magazine, Beijing paints a rosy picture of Tibet's development under its control. However, behind the propaganda lies a stark reality of colonial exploitation and cultural suppression.

In Dege, eastern Tibet, local Tibetans are standing up against the imminent displacement caused by China's plans to construct 13 dams on the Drichu River. These dams threaten the ancestral lands and cultural heritage of Tibetan communities spanning multiple regions.

One such dam, the Kamtok hydropower station in Dege, is set to destroy villages and Buddhist monasteries, including the historic Wontoe monastery. These sites hold deep cultural significance, especially considering the destruction inflicted upon Tibetan monasteries during China's invasion and the Cultural Revolution.

Despite exhausting legal avenues, Tibetan protestors gathered outside the Dege county government, pleading for their homes and heritage. Their peaceful appeals were met with violence and mass arrests by Chinese authorities, revealing a colonial mindset that prioritizes power over human dignity.

The impact of these dams extends beyond displacement, disrupting ecosystems and livelihoods downstream. Moreover, China's relocation policies disproportionately affect Tibetans, further marginalizing them in their own land.

For Tibetans in Dege and beyond, resisting displacement is not just about preserving their homes—it's about asserting their identity and autonomy in the face of colonial oppression. As China pushes forward with its dam projects, Tibetans continue to fight for their right to live and thrive on their ancestral lands.