Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas

Proposed dam construction within and adjacent to the World Heritage property.

A brief report dated 31 January 2005 was received by the Secretariat from the State Party in response to the request of the 28th session of the Committee (Suzhou, 2004).  While the report acknowledges the existence of institutional and regulatory mechanisms governing construction work in China, it does not address the specific request of the Committee relating to the status of dams in Yunnan Province.  It stressed that, according to existing Chinese law and regulations, an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study as well as other assessment procedures should be undertaken and prove to be satisfactory prior to the submission of project implementation to the State Council of China for its approval.  The report further notes that the hydropower scheme proposed by the electric companies has not been formally approved by the Central Government.  Furthermore, the report provided assurance that the Chinese Government would duly perform its duties vis-à-vis the World Heritage Convention, and that the Secretariat will be informed of any last move in conformity with the requirements of the Operational Guidelines.

However, the Secretariat continues to receive alarming information on the progress of the proposed construction of dams within and adjacent to the World Heritage property.  By letter of 13 April 2005, the Assistant Director-General for Culture of UNESCO requested the Chinese authorities to provide to the Secretariat further information on any progress concerning the assessment procedure of the project proposal foreseen by the authorities. 

On 10 February 2005, IUCN received a letter signed by NGOs and concerned individuals in China, expressing grave concern over impending plans to build the previously suspended hydropower cascade on the Nu Jiang River.  The letter indicates that these plans are already underway, and alleges that legal and institutional mechanisms provided for under Chinese law have not been addressed.  There are concerns that the EIA process has not been adhered to.  IUCN subsequently responded in a letter dated 25 February 2005 articulating similar concerns to the State Party.  At the 28th session of the Committee (Suzhou, 2004), the State Party was invited to respond to the calls of academics, conservationists and scientists and consider letting the Nu Jiang River continue to flow naturally through and beside the World Heritage area.

Media reports indicate that government agencies concerned have “in principle” approved the Nu Jiang Hydro Development Scheme.  However, so far there is neither official notice of the EIA process nor any explanations on how concerns raised by the public over river preservation, bio-diversity conservation and the protection of the rights of relocated people and the rich ethnic cultural diversity will be addressed.  Reports indicate that the water ministry has declined to reveal which of the 13 dams would be built, but it is understood they would include the Liu Ku Dam, on which construction work has reportedly already begun. 

IUCN notes additional reports indicating that there may be other planned hydroelectric plants within the vicinity of the World Heritage property (including the Tiger Leaping Gorge), which at the moment cannot be adequately verified due to incomplete and conflicting information.  Information received by IUCN indicates that while only one dam the Bin Zhong Luo is planned within the World Heritage property, significant downstream impacts could also occur if the other dams are constructed.  IUCN cannot however at this stage provide a comprehensive assessment of the planned construction given information which is available.  IUCN reiterates its previous position that dam construction in Yunnan will have both direct and indirect impacts on the World Heritage property, including loss of flora and fauna due to construction and subsequent flooding of riparian and other ecosystems.  Indirect impacts such as those potentially associated with dam construction activities, e.g.  road development, inflow of construction workers and leakage of fuel/oil into riparian ecosystems etc; the relocation of a number of local communities, mainly ethnic hill people, is also of concern; and significant downstream, transboundary ecological impacts are possible in neighbouring countries south of China.  IUCN notes that whilst concrete information is lacking, any dam construction within the World Heritage property would provide a case for inclusion of the property on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

At the time of finalizing this working document, no additional information has been received by the Secretariat.