Asia’s river systems face collapse

The WWF puts the blame for the deterioration of river systems on overdevelopment, noting that at least 60% of the world’s 227 largest rivers have been fragmented by dams, leading to the destruction of wetlands.

On a global scale, more than 45,000 large dams – those that are more than 60 meters high – are operational in more than 150 countries, while another 1,500 or so are under construction.

“Unabated development is jeopardizing nature’s ability to meet our growing demands,” said Jamie Pittock, who heads the WWF’s freshwater program.
The report is a follow-up to a study by the WCD in 2000 that recommended more stringent controls on the blocking of water flows so that the environmental impact of man-made barriers could be contained. The WFF concludes that governments are not acting on these recommendations.

Most at risk is the Yangtze, which also has the largest number of large dams either planned or under construction – 46, including the mammoth Three Gorges.

Communities along river systems add to the problem. Pollution in the main stem of the Yangtze has increased by more than 70% during the past 50 years, with heaps of garbage, pig waste and discharge from factories, hospitals and mines, possibly including radioactive waste, accumulating on the riverbed.

Leather-processing industries that use large quantities of chromium and other metals are feeding toxic waste into the Ganges, especially near Kanpour, while about a billion liters of mostly untreated raw sewage spills in daily.

“Dams are both a blessing and a curse – the benefits they provide often come at high environmental and social costs,” said Dr Ute Collier, head of the WWF’s Dams Initiative. “Those most affected by dams rarely benefit from them or gain access to power and clean water.”

Asia Times