The climate has really lashed out at China this year, with a downpour of rains and devastating floods. Environmental champions have often condemned the building of dams. Three Gorges reservoir, the world’s largest hydroelectric project, was built on China’s longest river, the Yangtze, to prevent floods and generate electricity. Now the Chinese government is seeking to displace at least 4 million people from their homes to ensure the “environmental safety” of the Three Gorges Dam.
The extensive number of people being displaced is to protect the ecology of the 400-mile reservoir formed by the dam, as per Yu Yuanmu, Chongqing city vice-mayor.
If not for the environment it will sure be a curse for the people, who will have to leave their age old land due to the damn. More than 1.2 million people have already had to leave the area because of the world’s biggest hydroelectric project. Moreover these people are likely to be settled under the Chongqing’s 2007-20 development plan, the city is already suffering from over population and this will add to the woes of the people.
Considering all are their any benefits from the Three Gorges Dam?
Some claim that Three Gorges Dam was to blame for the unusual weather in China this year, due to the dams uncertain meteorological and ecological implications. To begin with, it was hailed as an engineering triumph, officials warned last month of it being an “environmental catastrophe”
Erosion and landslides on steep hills around the dam, conflicts over land shortages and “ecological deterioration’ caused by irrational development. Further landslides into the dam waters make waves dozens of meters high that crash into surround shores, creating even more damage.
Source: Guardian
