The Yangtze River is the third longest river in the world and helps to define the borders of several countries in East Asia. But is the Yangtze River actually man made?
When considering this question, it’s important to know that the Yangtze wasn’t always in its current location. In fact, a prehistoric glacier created a river bed which has since become the Yangtze River. This means that technically, the river was an occurrence of nature, not an intentional creation of man.
In terms of its current size and depth, however, the Yangtze has been significantly changed by human intervention. The river has been artificially widened and deepened in order to better accommodate vessels and allow them to pass along it quickly and easily. This intervention by people has drastically altered the makeup of the river.
But even though the Yangtze is not a manmade river, humans have had a hugely detrimental effect on its ecosystem. Industrial pollution, dredging and other activities have led to the destruction of the river’s diverse range of fish, as well as other animal and plant species. This pollution has also caused problems with drinking water, as the river is the source of water for over 500 million people.
The scale of the environmental damage caused by human activity is hard to ignore. The water is so polluted that it is unsafe for swimming and even in some cases drinking. This lack of regulation and control over the river has had a severe impact, and efforts must be made to restore the river to its natural and healthy state.
In recent years, there has been a concerted effort to try and clean up the Yangtze River. Governments of the countries surrounding the river have collaborated to create tighter restrictions on pollution and improved regulations regarding fishing. The hope is that this will rein in the unsustainable practices that had been damaging the river’s ecosystem.
It’s clear that although the Yangtze isn’t a man made river, the river has been greatly affected by human activity. If the governments of the surrounding countries are successful in their efforts to regulate and monitor the levels of pollution, then it’s possible that the Yangtze River can eventually be restored to its former glory.
Mighty Megalopolis
The Yangtze River runs through some of the most populated areas of China and provides immense economic opportunities to many of the people living along its banks. The Yangtze is, quite literally, a lifeline for many people, and its cities such as Wuhan, Shanghai, and Nanjing have become sprawling megacities due to the presence of the river.
It’s estimated that almost half of China’s population lives within 1,000 kilometres of the Yangtze River, with many of these people depending on the river for their livelihoods. The river’s transport network has allowed for the centralisation of factories, ports, and shipping in the main cities along its length, giving people the chance to increase their wealth and livelihoods by working in the industries found there.
The development of the Yangtze River as an economic powerhouse would have been impossible without the human influence; thus, whilst the Yangtze is not man made, man has made the Yangtze.
One of the best ways to understand the significance of the Yangtze River to China is through the Three Gorges Dam. The dam was built in order to create a more efficient way of generating hydroelectric power, as well as controlling the flow of water in order to prevent flooding. In order to do this, over a million people were forcibly relocated, and more than 10 thousand archaeological sites were flooded to create the reservoir needed for the dam.
The Three Gorges Dam is an incredible feat of engineering and shows the extent to which human intervention has changed the Yangtze River.
Yangtze Crisis
More recently, the Yangtze River is facing a new set of environmental challenges, as the rapid development of the surrounding cities and industries has led to increasingly dense levels of pollutants being discharged into the river.
As those pollutants enter the water system, they have a devastating effect on the Yangtze’s ecosystem. Many species of animals and fish have been driven to near extinction as a result of this pollution, whilst humans that depend on the river for food or transport have also been affected.
The Yangtze also faces the threat of drying up due to the increasing demands of industry and people living along its banks. The river’s water levels have been dropping steadily due to an increase in the number of dams and factories, making it difficult for boats to pass along its length.
The Chinese government needs to act quickly in order to prevent further destruction. Regulations and laws need to be put in place to protect the Yangtze and its diverse ecosystem. There also needs to be investment in technology and infrastructure in order to protect the river, as well as to restore the river to its natural and healthy state.
Opportunities
Whilst it’s clear that the Yangtze faces many challenges, there are also numerous opportunities that can be gained from responsible environmental stewardship, namely in terms of economic benefit.
By careful management of the river, it is possible to create new employment opportunities such as eco-tourism or sustainable fishing businesses. Properly managed, these businesses could help to supplement the incomes of many of the people who depend on the river.
The Yangtze could also be used as a way of producing renewable energy, such as hydroelectricity. By utilising the power of the river’s strong currents, it is possible to generate electricity more cleanly and more efficiently than burning fossil fuels. This could help to reduce the impacts of global warming and provide a more reliable and environmentally friendly source of energy to the people living in the Yangtze Valley.
Politics
The governance of the Yangtze is carried out by four countries – Russia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and China. Together, these countries oversee the river’s pollution levels, and work together to manage the resource and its people.
However, this arrangement has come under increasing strain due to the sheer volume of people living along its banks. The demands for energy, water, and industry have meant that the river has become the subject of heavy political wrangling, with no clear end in sight.
The fate of the Yangtze River rests in the hands of its surrounding countries. If they can come together to put in place effective policies and regulations then the river can be saved from further destruction.
Sustainability
Sustainability is key to the successful governance of the Yangtze River. Moving forward, the authorities must ensure that any activities taking place along the river are done in a way that is sustainable and in line with nature. This means taking into account the needs of the people who rely on the river, as well as protecting the diverse range of wildlife and species who live in the river’s ecosystem.
The Yangtze River is one of the most important sources of fresh water in the world and it is essential that its resources are managed in a responsible and sustainable manner. The management and stewardship of the Yangtze is therefore the responsibility of all four of the bordering countries, and it is essential that they work together to ensure its protection.
Future
The future of the Yangtze River depends on the mutual commitment of the countries involved. To ensure its continued health and sustainability, the river needs stronger regulations and more effective enforcement of those regulations.
Constant monitoring of the river’s water quality is essential and further protection must be put in place in order to defend the river’s ecosystem. Investment in renewable energy could help to reduce the river’s reliance on unsustainable fuels, whilst sustainable practices such as eco-tourism and fishing can help to create jobs and livelihoods for the people living along its banks.
The Yangtze River has witnessed immense human intervention – it has provided immense economic opportunities and has been hugely affected by industrial and human pollution. However, it has been proven that if well managed, this resource can not only be preserved but also improved.
