"But the fact is that the fifth hydropower station in the planned 'one reservoir and eight stages' has never been approved by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and the National Development and Reform Commission. Even after the Jinanqiao Dam broke ground, the talents of the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Environmental Protection were shocked that this project with an investment of more than 10 billion yuan had not been approved by the relevant departments."

"Our local residents are protesting against the construction of that dam. Although the construction of the Jin'an Bridge Dam will not have a big impact on Tiger Leaping Gorge, who can guarantee that once this fifth-level dam is built, there will be no one who will continue to covet Tiger Leaping Gorge upstream of Jin'an Bridge?"

After a pause, Zhao Shuang continued, "After our local people's protests, and because the Jin'an Bridge Dam was indeed an illegal project, the project was delayed for several years. But unfortunately, our protests were so powerless in the face of capital that the dam eventually passed the state's approval and officially started operation. Fortunately, the Jin'an Bridge is still some distance away from the Tiger Leaping Gorge, so the construction of the Jin'an Bridge Dam did not cause a catastrophic blow to the Tiger Leaping Gorge."

"However, the successful construction of the Jin'anqiao Dam has also benefited those power companies. Now, near Xiazhari, downstream of Xiahutiao Gorge, the fourth dam of the 'one reservoir and eight levels' will be built. Compared with the Jin'anqiao Dam downstream, we don't know what impact this dam will have on the upstream Tiger Leaping Gorge and even the First Bay of the Yangtze River once it is built."

"But according to estimates, if this dam is built, the water level of the river within 200 kilometers upstream of Tiger Leaping Gorge will at least rise sharply, and 200,000 mu of high-quality farmland will be submerged, and 100,000 people will face the situation of being relocated. As for Tiger Leaping Gorge, it is probably impossible to preserve its current spectacular scenery. By then, it will become a huge reservoir!"

Gege became anxious when she heard this. "Does the country have the heart to let Tiger Leaping Gorge and the First Bay of the Yangtze River disappear under the water? Why would the country let such a thing happen?"

Zhao Shuang smiled bitterly and shook his head, saying, "It's hard to say for sure right now, but we locals have been fighting this, but we don't know what the outcome will be. So, since you're here today, take a closer look at this place. Maybe when you come here again in a few years, you won't be able to see the scenery here anymore."

Several people fell silent.

What Zhao Shuang said was true. Even now, satellite maps show the dam being built downstream of Tiger Leaping Gorge. No one knows what will happen after the dam is built.

Alas, at this time, the country doesn't seem to be short of energy, right? Why is it allowed to build such a dam that destroys the ecological environment here?

The Three Gorges Dam has made the Three Gorges lose its former beauty, and the series of hydropower stations on the Nujiang River have turned the Nujiang River into a string of pearls. Aren’t these lessons?

This sudden topic made everyone feel a little heavy-hearted, and they even lost interest in playing.

It’s not that the dam cannot be built. The most important thing is that when the dam is built, will it cause a devastating blow to the local ecology and will it cause this world-famous tourist destination to disappear completely?

It would be best if the local landscape could be kept safe and healthy while the dam was being built to develop the economy. There should be a way to have the best of both worlds, but it was beyond the control of the four of them.

The tour of Tiger Leaping Gorge was certainly shocking to Yang Jing and his friends, but the sudden topic on the last day made the trip somewhat heavy.

After saying goodbye to Sun Aoran and Zhao Shuang, Yang Jing and Gege drove back to Chuncheng. They had been out for a week, and now it was time to go back and prepare for the engagement...