MONSTER DAM, MONSTER PROBLEMS
The Three Gorges Dam is the world’s ultimate pharaonic mega project. The project sets records
for the number of people displaced; at least 1.3 million, number of cities and towns flooded;
13 cities, 140 towns, 1,350 villages, and length of reservoir; more than 630 km (363 miles).
The situation is especially bad for displaced farmers: many of them have received just a
fraction of the compensation they were promised. Project opponents have been intimidated,
beaten up and imprisoned for demanding fair compensation. Massive landslides triggered by
the rising reservoir have killed hundreds and forced the evacuation of 70,000 people.
Scientists predict that by trapping nutrients in river sediments, the dam could reduce annual
fish catches in the East China Sea by 100 million tonnes. The submergence of hundreds of
factories, mines and waste dumps, and the presence of massive industrial and population
centres upstream, are turning the reservoir into a toxic soup of sewage.
In late 2007, the Chinese government admitted for the first time that the dam could cause
an environmental “catastrophe.” Yet, the Government continues to repress any criticisms
and demand of compensation for the affected population.
Text: Patrick McKully
Photograpy: Pierre Montavon and Steven Benson
