South-North Transfer project

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  • Created by: stephjkl
  • Created on: 06-06-16 15:20

South-North Transfer project

Advantages

  • Aims to channel 44.8 billion cubic metres of freshwater annually from the Yangtze river in southern China to the north through three canal systems: the Eastern, the Central and the Western
  • Northern China is renowned for its centre of agriculture, population and industry
  • Would be able to recover problems such as water shortage - due to climate change, pollution and frequent droughts

Disadvantages

  • Estimated to cost $62 billion - more than the Three Gorges Dam
  • In fact already $79 billion has been spent
  • Forced 180,000 people in Hubei and 160,000 in Henan to leave their homes
  • Relocation of 1.27 million over 17 years
  • Han river will be polluted from the Yangtze river
  • Aquatic life population will be further reduced
  • Plans to build more dams

Evaluation

Overall, this project is likely to be successful in fairly distributing water to the north of China, if done so properly. Of course, environmental and social effects will also occur, which the government need to carefully try and reduce. The relocation of people is much safer than letting them in danger of floods. However, it could also be suggested that by increasing the amount of water sent towards northern China, the region will continue to pollute, without thinking of the consequences. If the region is put under even more water stress, they may look towards more sustainable solutions and reduce demand from huge industries. 

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