15 Apr 2007 - Changsha,
China – Delegates from over 20 countries
are meeting here to explore solutions to
environmental problems affecting the Yangtze
River.
During the three-day Yangtze Forum, government
officials, experts and representatives from
NGOs, including WWF, and the private sector
will focus on the conservation and sustainable
development of the Yangtze, including Dongting
Lake, China’s second large lake and an important
part of the river’s flood basin.
“The Yangtze Forum is strengthening the
conservation of one of the country’s most
economically and environmentally important
rivers,” said James Leape, Director General
of WWF International.
“It is important to coordinate the management
and development of the river basin so as
to maximize the economic and social benefits
in an equitable way while at the same time
conserving freshwater ecosystems, species
and services.”
According to a report released a day before
the forum, the Yangtze River is threatened
by potential natural disasters, such as
flooding, as well as water quality deterioration
and biodiversity loss due to industrial
pollution and rapid economic development.
Compiled by experts from WWF, the Chinese
Academy of Sciences and the Yangtze Forum
Secretariat, the Yangtze Conservation and
Development Report is the first comprehensive
study that examines the overall health of
the Yangtze.
“The report objectively and systematically
probed into the past, current and future
facts of the river’s conservation and development,
which is important for the conservation
of the Yangtze during development,” said
Dermot O’Gorman, WWF China’s Country Representative.
In particular, the report calls for reconnecting
the river with lakes in the middle and lower
Yangtze, like Lake Dongting, as a crucial
step in restoring and protecting the river’s
ecosystem. It also suggests that reforming
the current regional governing body responsible
for river development is needed in order
to mitigate negative impacts. Such a reform
process should involve the wider participation
of all stakeholders, including the central
government’s agencies, local governments
and communities along the river, as well
as businesses and other experts.
“As a key initiator and supporter of the
Yangtze Forum, we will continue our ongoing
support to enhance the sustainable management
of the Yangtze River for future generations,”
Leape added.
The Yangtze Forum was created in 2005 as
a platform to promote the active participation
of all stakeholders dedicated to protecting,
managing and developing the Yangtze River.
The current forum is taking place from
April 15 to 17 in Changsha, Hunan Province.
A third Yangtze Forum is scheduled to take
place in Shanghai in 2009.
Tan Rui, Communications Officer
WWF China
