Environmental and economic concerns

The Danjiangkou Reservoir is being constructed, and now the height of the reservoir has reached 176.6 meters from 152 meters. [China.org.cn]

Apart from resettlement, the environment is the biggest concern in this massive water project, said Zeng Wenhua, mayor of Danjiangkou, the city where the Danjiangkou reservoir is located.

After the central route was launched in 2005, the area has been restricted in developing certain industries, and this has hindered the impoverished region’s economic growth.

In order to guarantee the water quality, since 2005 the Danjiangkou government has rejected 388 industry applications that would go beyond the pollution standards, and closed more than 130 polluted factories, including some mainstay industries.

Since May 2010, the central government has invested more than 1.2 billion yuan in preventing pollution and water and soil conservation.

Zeng said although the government allocates funds, the area's economy will still be affected in the short term.

The top of the Danjiangkou Reservoir is being constructed, and now the height of the reservoir has reached 176.6 meters from 152 meters. [China.org.cn]

"But it will be a good chance for the city to change its economic structure and improve the environment," Zeng said. "We will take the challenge and make sure the water project is a success."