EXTERNAL: EERISHIKA PANKAJ AT ISDP'S WEBINAR ON CHINA’S HIMALAYAN HUSTLE – PART II: WILL ECO-DOMINANCE BE CHINA’S NEW WAR FRONT?

On June 19, 2024, ORCA Director Eerishika Pankaj participated in the webinar titled "China’s Himalayan Hustle – Part II: Will Eco-Dominance Be China’s New War Front?" hosted by the Institute for Security and Development Policy (ISDP). In this engaging session, Eerishika discussed China’s burgeoning water security challenges, focusing on its pursuit of hydropower in the Himalayan region. She elaborated on the ecological implications of China’s hydro-projects, including the construction of dams on key rivers such as the Yarlung Tsangpo and the Mekong. Eerishika highlighted the potential consequences these projects have on water availability and biodiversity, particularly in the context of climate change and its impact on the livelihoods of downstream communities. She raised critical questions about whether China's renewable energy initiatives genuinely contribute to sustainable development or serve as instruments of geopolitical influence. Eerishika's insights encouraged participants to consider the broader ramifications of China's environmental strategies and the necessity for international dialogue on water resource management in the region.