From dianne Sat Nov 23 01:12:40 1996 Received: (from dianne@localhost) by lox.sandelman.ottawa.on.ca (8.7.5/8.7.3) id BAA22805; Sat, 23 Nov 1996 01:12:38 -0500 (EST) Date: Sat, 23 Nov 1996 01:12:38 -0500 (EST) From: Dianne Murray Message-Id: <199611230612.BAA22805@lox.sandelman.ottawa.on.ca> X-within-URL: http://xp9.dejanews.com/getdoc.xp?recnum=1776812&server=dnserver.db96q4&CONTEXT=848729160.20383&hitnum=4 To: dianne@sandelman.ocunix.on.ca Subject: getdoc.xp?recnum=1776812&server=dnserver.db96q4&CONTEXT=848729160.20383&hitnum=4 Status: OR [Previous] [Next] [Hitlist] [Get Thread] [Author Profile] [Post] [Post] [Reply] [LINK][LINK] _________________________________________________________________ Article 5 of 6 Subject: Aussie News from Latrobe (55/68) From: khorsell@laplace.ee.latrobe.edu.au (Kym Horsell) Date: 1996/09/28 Message-Id: <52gpp8$3j3@laplace.ee.latrobe.edu.au> Article Segment 3 of 3 (Get Previous Segment) (Get All 3 Segments) The Chinese leader who successfully pushed the project through -- despite concerns over its impact on the environment and the millions of people who depend on the river -- is Premier Li Peng. With his support, the actual construction work is well advanced. In addition to flood control, the dam is supposed to provide about 11% of China's electricity needs when it is fully operational in the year 2009. There is widespread opposition outside China and much unhappiness inside the country to the project. More than one-mn people will have to be relocated because their homes sit on land that is to be flooded under 100-meters or more of water. The traditional livelihoods of fisherman and others who depend on the river will be jeopardised. Environmentalists worry that the heavy silt content of the Yangtze will build up in back of the dam, possibly even endangering the structure. Conservationists say several wildlife species, including the Yangtze river dolphin, are in great peril because of the project. And many prominent Chinese scholars worry that priceless relics of China's long history might be lost when the dam is finished and the water rises behind it. In answer to those criticisms, Chinese officials say the benefits outweigh the problems. They argue that the dam will provide flood control -- and electricity to spur the economy of a part of China that has lagged behind. And as for silting and natural beauty destruction, they deny there is a problem. Many towns and cities -- more than 200, in fact -- will be totally under water when the 632-square-km reservoir fills behind the Three Gorges dam. The Chinese authorities say their main concern associated with the dam is relocating a mn people to new homes on higher ground. The Mayor of Chongqing -- the departure point for many of the Yangtze River cruises through the Three Gorges -- says, in fact, tourism will be stimulated. China's state-run news media have been printing articles saying the scenic beauty of the gorges will not be harmed appreciably by being partially covered by the water. And the Mayor says navigation of the often-dangerous river will be much easier when the dam is built. But a hotel manager here expressed worry that the days of millions of cruise boat passengers coming to Chongqing will be over once the dam is built. For now, the Yangtze river boats are still running. And in the months before the dam is finished, the cruise boats undoubtedly will continue to attract visitors from around the world who want to see the Three Gorges before it is changed forever. -- R. Kym Horsell KHorsell@EE.Latrobe.EDU.AU kym@CS.Binghamton.EDU http://WWW.EE.LaTrobe.EDU.AU/~khorsell http://CS.Binghamton.EDU/~kym [LINK][LINK] _________________________________________________________________ [Previous] [Next] [Hitlist] [Get Thread] [Author Profile] [Post] [Post] [Reply] _________________________________________________________________ Home Power Search Post to Usenet Ask DN Wizard Help Why use DN? | Advertising Info | New Features! | Policy Stuff Copyright © 1996 Deja News, Inc. All rights reserved.