China’s Environment Ministry has approved construction of the Shuangjiangkou Dam project on the Dadu River in Sichuan province.

The dam, which will be the tallest in the country at 314m high, is expected to take 10 years to complete, and is to be built by state-owned Guodian group.

The project, part of a 20GW hydro scheme, has been subject to controversy, with environmental groups highlighting that the an environmental impact assessment (EIA) found that it would have an detrimental impact on rare fish and flora local nature reserves.

The developers have however pledged to take counter measures to help mitigate any negative environmental effects.

Before the dam project can officially begin construction it needs approval from the State Council.

 

 

Image: View of the Dadu River. Courtesy Wikimedia Commons