The Three Gorges Project Is Beneficial

The Three Gorges lie in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River. After years of investigation and research, many scientists and engineers have suggested that to control the floods brought by the Yangtze River to its lower reaches, a large dam should be built there. But many other scientists and engineers disagree. Thus a heated debate has begun as to whether the project is beneficial. I am in favor of the project and believe that it will have more advantages than disadvantages.

Those who are against the project argue that the project will bring about serious consequences. The Three Gorges are among the most beautiful and famous scenic places in China. Here the tourists see not only the natural scenery, but also a lot of ancient cultural relics, which are of great historical value. Many of those places of interest Replica Watches will be submerged when the dam retains water at the normal level (175m). The project will affect the ecological environment of the Yangtze River. Some rare species of aquatic animals are faced with the danger of extinction. Moreover, the river-bed will be worsened. More seriously, when the dam begins to retain water, there may be earthquakes and landslips in the Three Gorges area. The Persian Gulf War gave rise to another doubt: if there should be a war and the Three Gorges Dam destroyed, the consequence would be ghastly. In short, the risks of the project may be too great for it to be beneficial.

Their worries and warnings are well justified. But we should not give up eating for fear of choking. First of all, the feasibility of the project has been thoroughly examined. A new feasibility report by hundreds of experts has been submitted to the government. In the report, all the harmful effects have been taken into consideration and appropriate measures suggested- For example, to solve the problem of earthquakes and landslips that may be caused by the project, monitoring and forecasting will have to be stressed. The success of the Gezhou Dam which has stood the tests of many great floods proves that our technology of water conservancy is up to the mark and capable of withstanding the stiffest test of natural disasters.

It is estimated that once the Three Gorges Project is completed, the loss in agriculture caused by floods will be reduced by six to eight hundred million Yuan each year! if there is a catastrophic flood, the loss will be reduced by twenty billion Yuan. More importantly, the project will protect the lives of three hundred and fifty million people living in the plain east of the dam. The hydropower station on the dam will have a generating capacity ranking first in the world, five times that of the Gezhou Dam. That means each year fifty million tons of coal will be saved. The electric power it will produce will greatly push the development of industry in our country.

The project will improve the transportation of the Yangtze River. Those dangerous shoals and rapids in the gorges today will disappear. The river Hublot Replica in the dam area will be broadened. As a result, giant vessels will be able to sail straight from Shanghai to Chongqing. This is of vital importance to the economic development of Sichuan Province.

It is clear that the Three Gorges Project will be beneficial to the country. Everything has its advantages and disadvantages. Since the project will bring more benefits than losses, it is worthwhile to take some risks.