Xinhua News Agency reported today that archaeologists have
raised further concerns about the destruction of cultural heritage
by the huge south-north water diversion project.
"Archeological excavation and heritage protection should have
been done before the start of the project. But the preservation
plan has not been approved yet and funding is not in place," said
Tong Peihua, deputy director of the archaeological institute of
Shandong Province.
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Last month, an investigation group composed of national advisors,
heritage protection and water conservancy experts conducted an
inspection tour along the route of the project in Shandong,
Jiangsu, Hubei and Henan provinces, to see how well cultural relics
were being protected.
According to the State Administration of Cultural Heritage, 788
cultural heritage sites will be affected by the project, including
at least two world heritage sites -- Yuzhen Palace on Wudang
Mountain and the Yan State Great Wall remains from the Warring
States Period (475-221 BC).
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In addition, two sites under national level protection and 24 under
provincial level protection will also be impacted, whilst the
number of underground relics that will be submerged is unknown.
Similar concerns were raised in the construction of the Three
Gorges Project, and experts said the sites affected by the
south-north water diversion project are much more valuable than
those there.
Tong said the project's funding for cultural heritage protection
should be included in its total cost, which is supported by central
and local governments and bank loans.
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However, many local governments objected, saying cultural relics
belong to the state and their cost of protection should be covered
by central government, he said.
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The south-north water diversion project was launched at the end of
2002 to tackle water shortages in the northern part of the
country.
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Its eastern route is expected to supply water to Shandong by 2007,
and its central route to supply Henan and Hebei provinces, Beijing
and Tianjin by 2010.????
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A water conservancy expert participating in the investigation said
the project was urgent as the whole of north China depends on
overexploitation of groundwater, and Beijing's supply would dry up
in a dozen years if the situation continues.
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(Xinhua News Agency October 9, 2005)