China`s environment ministry cautions govt over tallest dam

Beijing: China`s Environment Ministry on Thursday cautioned the government over the construction of the country`s tallest hydro power dam in the quake-prone Sichuan province, saying it will affect the flora and fauna.

The USD 4.42 billion Shuangjiangkou hydropower plant over Dadu river, tributary of Yangtze river, will affect the spawning and movement of rare fish species, as well as the growth of endangered plants, including the Chinese yew, which is under first-class state protection, the ministry said in a statement. The project will have a total installed capacity of 2 GW, with annual power generation to reach 7.93 billion kilowatt-hours upon completion. The ministry suggested counter-measures to help mitigate the plant`s effect on the environment. The measures include protecting fish habitats in tributaries, building fish ladders and increasing fish breeding and releasing, as well as constructing seed banks for rare plants and cultivating them artificially. Waste treatment facilities will be built in order to protect the environment while local residents are relocated, the statement said. The project is estimated to cost about 27.3 billion yuan (USD 4.42 billion), out of which nearly 1.46 billion yuan will be used to cover the cost of environmental protection efforts, the statement said. The project is reportedly put up for clearance by the central government. Sichuan, which is located at the centre of the junction of the Indian Plate and the Eurasian Plate experienced a massive earthquake in 2008 and also last months which caused extensive damage to life and property. PTI