Chinese dam will ruin Yangtse environment

THE evacuation of thousands of farmers to make way for a huge dam project in China is likely to cause serious environmental damage, reports The Guardian.

Chinas biggest experiment in mass migration has so far seen more than 100,000 people moved from small farms and towns close to the Yangtze river.

There were plans to move displaced communities to the mountains, but the government has admitted this option will create further problems.

Migrants complain that half the funds allocated for resettlement have been pocketed by local officials.

There are now plans to move displaced groups further afield than originally planned.

• The Guardian 25/05/99 page 16