Preliminary Analysis on Environmental Impact of Relocation of Cities and Towns in the Three Gorges Reservoir Region

At the normal pool level of 175 m, the inundated areas of the Three Gorges Reservoir involve 2 cities, 11 county seats and 140 towns. The population of the cities and towns under the inundated line totals 393 000 people(1985). These affected cities and towns will be rebuilt by means of moving backward to a higher elevation or to other places.The cities and towns to be relocated are the regional political, economic and cultural centres, and serve as traffic complexes and places of goods gathering and distributing. They are also the seats containing some important cultural relics and historic sites, landscaping and scenic spots. The relocation of the cities and towns will generate far-reaching impacts on regional socio-economy and environment. The unreasonable excavation and fill or the improper protective measures adopted may induce land slide,collapse and soil loss. The ruins and wastes will affect the water quality in the early period of impoundment of the Three Gorges Reservoir. A large demand of timber may result in forest fall excessively in the local area of the reservoir region, and lower forest and vegetation coverage rate may lead to soil loss. The relocation of the cities and towns will increase urbanization in reservoir, improve the infrastructure, enhance their location function and economic radiation capacity. The negative impact will reach its maximum during relocation peak period, and the environmental quality will be progressively improved with the recovery of the functions of the relocated cities and towns and the implementation of environmental protection measures. Finally, the negative impact will be offset, and the negative impact will be changed into positive environmental elements.