China Reins in Dam Builders

Beijing has reined in China’s unbridled dam-building spree, issuing warnings to power-hungry developers that stimulating the economy in a time of crisis should not be used as an excuse to forego environmental reviews of big hydroelectric projects.

Nevertheless, the country remains committed to a series of dam schemes outside of its borders as its role grows as a global financier and builder.
Over the last few months, Beijing has pulled the plug on several highly controversial dam projects in resource-rich southwestern China – delighting environmentalists and sending a warning to wayward localities to toe its line.

All three suspended projects were to have been constructed in a region of China known for its outstanding natural beauty and riches. At its core lies the protected area of the Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan – a World Heritage site with diverse ethnic minority cultures and home to some of China’s most important biodiversity.

It is also where three of Asia’ greatest rivers – the Nu (Salween), Lancang (Mekong) and Jinsha (Yangtze) run almost parallel before two of them wind their way into Southeast Asia.

But the area is also one of China’s last untapped sources of hydropower, and local authorities have been eager to capitalise on this wealth. They contend that developing hydropower is essential to give an economic boost to one of the country’s most impoverished areas, help eradicate poverty, and meet other regions’ demands for electricity.

IPS