Protect Animals

China Blocks Yangtze Dam Project, Activists Say

By: Edward Wong

Source: New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/11/world/asia/environmental-order-in-china-to-prevent-building-of-contested-dam.html?ref=science&_r=0

The Chinese Ministry of Environmental Protection has issued an order preventing dam building on the upper Yangtze River that will result in the removal of a proposed hydroelectric dam near the western metropolis of Chongqing. The Xiaonanhai Dam would cost billions of dollars to build. The construction of the dam was supported by Bo Xilai, the former Chongqing party chief who was sent to prison. Environments are glad this dam was not build because it would have destroyed an area of the river that was ecology-friendly. This protected area has been a safe place for many aquatic organisms. Zhang Boju, an advocate at Friends of Nature, claimed that the construction of the Xiaonanhai Dam would have set a dangerous precedent. Its construction means that future safe areas would be destroyed too. Mr. Zhang said, “If the Xiaonanhai Dam was built, the entire protection zone would be destroyed, and the protection-zone system would be rendered meaningless.” Mr. Bo and his company worked to shrink the protected area along the Yangtze to remove roadblocks for dam construction. In December 2011, China’s cabinet approved a proposal to shrink the preserve. However, Mr. Bo’s downfall helped prevent the construction of the dam.

            The preservation of organisms is becoming more and more important. Humans are destroying many environments, such as cutting down forests, and forcing organisms to flee. People need to realize that animals are living organisms too; we cannot just ruin their homes and do whatever we want with the area. The preservation of wildlife should be an important objective.