China Youth Daily
July 17, 2006

IUCN/UNESCO inspectors have signalled their concern about planned dams on the Nu, Lancang and Jinsha rivers and are keeping a close eye on developments in the Three Parallel Rivers world heritage site in Yunnan province.

Several days ago, delighted Chinese citizens received news that the Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuary was accepted for inclusion on the World Heritage List at the 30th World Heritage Convention in Vilnius, Lithuania. However, the convention also sent news that gave everyone moment for pause: the Three Parallel Rivers Region, listed three years ago as a Natural Heritage Site, has now been listed under the "Key Observation and Protection Program." An on-site inspection team from the World Conservation Union (IUCN) and UNESCO the World Heritage Committee pointed out that the Three Parallel Rivers Region is threatened by the following developments: planned increases in hydroelectric utilization; changes in the heritage site’s boundaries that allow for increased mining, the construction of dams, and other requirements of economic development; as well as the development of the tourism industry Hydroelectric development could change the ecological environment After the Three Parallel Rivers Region was included in the World Heritage List in 2003, the next three meetings of the World Heritage Convention included the region in the Key Observation and Protection Program.