Photo: CFP

 
Comprehensive scientific research is key to ensuring the high quality and sustainable development of the Three Gorges Reservoir Region and long-term safe operation of the Three Gorges Dam, the world's largest hydropower project, according to a proposal raised by Shi Haofei, a deputy to the 14th National People's Congress, at the two sessions. 

Shi, a research fellow from the Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, pointed out in his proposal that after nearly three decades of operation, the ecological environment and social-economic environment in the Three Gorges Reservoir Region is facing a series of new problems linked to its long-term protection and development. 

As the world's most versatile, most influential as well as a project that benefits a massive regional population, the Three Gorges Dam project is one of pillars of China's great power. 

Three Gorges Reservoir Region, formed from the Three Gorges Dam Project, is the country's largest fresh water reserve, accounting for 35 percent of total reserves. The region sustains the drinking water safety for more than 300 million people living in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, and as the major supplementary water source for the South-to-North Water Diversion Middle Route Project, it also provided water for nearly half of the population across the country. 

Under the guidance of the Yangtze River Protection Law as well as other relevant policies, additional comprehensive scientific research targeted the Three Gorges Reservoir Region's ecological and economic and social environment would help fully understand the region's natural resources including lands, mineral products, waters, forestry and corresponding social and economic situations, according to Shi.

Such research would also provide precise data support toward realizing the goals of sustainable and high-quality development of the region as well as innovation of China's hydraulic engineering, Shi said. 

Shi proposed that research on the Three Gorges Reservoir Region should include comprehensive application of remote sensing surveys, on-site investigation, field sampling and lab analysis, among others. 

The key of such research would be on spheres including the natural geographical environment, forest resources, land resources, biodiversity, water resources and water environment, ecological functions, social and human environment, ecological environment effects of reservoir operation, so as to form the natural geography of the Three Gorges Reservoir Region and a database mapping and tracking the environment and populated areas.

Shi also proposed further analysis on the interaction and impact of reservoir regulation, human activities, climate changes and the region's water resources, lands, plant life, ecological diversity and social environment dynamics, so as to provide a base for the future optimization and policy work.  

Global Times