Follow us on TWITTER: http://twitter.com/cnforbiddennews Like us on FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/chinaforbiddennews A press release of a 2013 survey on upstream ecosystems in the Yangtze River was recently held in Shanghai. The researchers sent a most serious warning. The report shows intensive hydropower projects in the Yangtze River delta have made local biological species go extinct. This has led to the collapse of the Yangtze River's ecological environment. Experts say that vigorous promotion of hydroelectric construction by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), has caused serious pollution, endangered people. Analysts warn that the CCP has sacrificed the environment for excessive economic pursuits, and will pay a heavy price. A launch event of the 2013 joint scientific research report on the upstream Yangtze River was held on August 15. Zhao Yimin, an official from the Agriculture Ministry, said the Yangtze River's ecosystem is now in collapse. This is the result of local intensive construction, including hydropower projects, mining, and waterway excavations. Hydrological expert Zhang Junfeng, comments. Large rivers such as Yangtze River and the Yellow River play crucial roles within the entire ecosystem. They can transfer and balance energy coming in and out for the global climate. Also, river flow supports the ecosystems within the scope of the river basins. Zhang Junfeng: "Damming up a river, building hydroelectric stations, or similar initiatives can upset the balance of the rivers energy. This will trigger further destruction of the overall climate and ecological system. Its destructive influence depends on human exploitation of the rivers." Zhao Yimin adds that fish species in the Jinsha River, a tributary of the Yangtze River, are now near extinction. The river now only has 17 fish species, compared with the original 143 species. The official research institutions reports show a sharp drop of four major fish species in the Yangtze River. The amount of fish is down to less than 100 Million, from over 30 Billion in the 1950s. Zhang Junfeng: "Construction of reservoirs and dams have greatly changed the original water situation. Damming up the water has changed the type and quantity of organic or inorganic matter carried in the water, which includes sands. This has led to a huge ecological change, directly affecting species that originally lived in these waters. The CCP authorities' vigorous push in hydroelectric construction has fatally affected local aquatic organisms. It has also given rise to serious pollution of local waters. Residents living along the Yangtze River have been affected, and have been complaining for many years. Wu Lihong, environmental activist, Yixing, Jiangsu Province: "Lake Tai now looks like porridge. It emits a terrible odor, like feces." Ms. Wu lives near the Lake Tai, downstream of the Yangtze River. She tells NTD that the CCP authorities have always disregarded the pollution, no matter how serious it is. The CCP-led Ministry of Environmental Protection has never performed its duties, she says. Wu Lihong: "It's useless, even after our 20 year efforts, to let them know about the problem. Why? China's current Environmental Protection Law has severe penalties, from jail terms to the death penalty. But local officials have made the law a mere figurehead. It is common for officials to collude with businessmen, with some superior authorities standing by without acting. The Environmental Protection Ministry cannot escape these responsibilities." Experts believe that large reservoirs and hydropower construction have contributed to currently frequent disasters in China. Wu Lihong: "These constructions have deteriorated the overall climate. This is what we've seen, incessant occurrence of extreme weather events. Also, floods and droughts become inevitable results, and we can expect more in the future." In 2009, Fan Xiao, the Chief Engineer at the Geology and Mineral Administration in Sichuan Province, sent a warning. He warned the CCP to not pursue the economic benefits of hydroelectric power at the expense of the ecological environment, and cultural heritage. He said that hydroelectric power development is like draining the pond to catch all the fish. It is non-sustainable. It will cause tremendous damage and hidden dangers to China's ecological and social environment. Currently, more facts indicate that the CCP authorities still continue on track with their plans. This road has created irreparable damage for China.

• published: 21 Aug 2013
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