The United Nations’ cultural organisation has threatened to drop one of China’s most beautiful areas from its World Heritage list if the Government proceeds with a plan to reduce the site by 20 per cent and allow new mines and dams in the remaining protected area. The Three Parallel Rivers site in Yunnan province sweeps through the upper reaches of the Nu (Salween), Lancang (Mekong) and Jinsha (upper Yangtze) rivers in south-west China. The central and provincial governments are keen to develop Yunnan, one of China’s poorest areas, but are finding that heritage values clash with economic development. The Guangzhou magazine Nanfeng Chuang (South Wind Window) reported UNESCO advisers from the World Conservation Union had visited the site in April and issued a report warning, despite Chinese officials’ assurances, that “the evidence tells us that mining, tourism and boundary revision, and uncertain hydro power development plans and other environmental reports, furthered our concern on future integrity. Also, mining activities within the heritage area show it is likely to be listed [as endangered].” … Read the full story [PDF].