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Source 2
Environmental Consequences
China is suffering the effects of water shortages. Four fifths of the
country's water is found in the southern provinces, where the
number of rivers available has fallen and the ones that are
available are polluted. A government study, done in 2007,
determined that of 8,000 miles of the Yellow River, a third is not
suitable even for agriculture.
China's industrial growth has been rapid, with many factories
being built on the banks of rivers. Inefficient management of water
used in industry, with only 40% of it being recycled and the
remaining 60% being dumped into rivers and lakes has lead to
the problem of pollution. The resulting environmental damage
could be devastating.
Several environmental activists have criticised the Chinese
government, accusing it of ignoring the dangers to the
environment through the building of gigantic engineering projects.
One of these projects was the infamous Three Gorges, but an
even bigger project is the South-North Water Diversion Project.
This will link the Yangzi river with the Yellow river, taking water
from the south to the north. Critics say that the engineering work
done on this project will affect the fragile Himalayan Plateau, and
has already reduced the plankton present in the Yangzi by over
75%.
Another effect of water shortages could be political. China's
engineering projects could have an impact on neighbouring
countries, for example, India, Bangladesh and Vietnam. China's
attempts to increase their own water supplies could result in the
flow of rivers to these countries and lead to instability in the
region.
Source: Peter, A. (2013). China's Search for Water: The
SinoEuropean Gazette.