Extracted from The Epoch Times June 2011, issue number 109.
The Three Gorges Dam (TGD) is a huge failure and should be dismantled, the sooner the better, an expert says.
The massive 17-year project on the Yangtze River that has submerged many communities and displace at least 1.4 million people, was to control and harness China's mighthiest river, and stand as a symbol of Chinese Communist Party's greatness and power over nature.
But since the completion in 2006, nature has not cooperated. Drought and every kind of disaster to quote one local official, have descended upon the region. The dam project is also become a financial sinkhole, requiring hundred of billion yuan in ongoing damage control. In 2006, the lowest levels in 130 years were registered near Chongqing.
At the same time, to generate electricity, the dam is holding back water, leaving little for the lower reaches of the river. Drinking water for tens of millions of people and livestock is threatened. Rice crops are failing.
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The dam project was hailed by the CCP's as being able to secure the regions top needs:
- power generation
- inland shipping
- flood control
- agricultural irrigation
A Chinese expert in hydraulics said a big project like this is a HEAVEN for corrupt Chinese officials. US10.8 bil was allocated for the resettlemnet of evacuees, however each settler received only around US1000. THe numbers don't add up. (1.4 million evacuees x US1000 each = US1.4 billion)
When silt accumulation in the reservoir exceeds 4 billion tons, the Yangtze River will no longer be able to carry that much silt into the sea, and the middle and lower Yangtze River will be blocked, forcing the river to change its course. Once this occurs, demolishing the Three Gorges Dam won't be achievable even if the authorities want to.
The moral here is not to destroy the nature to fulfill one's ego. It will bring sufferings to millions, who is innocent and incapable to protect themselves.
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