The number of people relocated to make way for China s massive Three Gorges dam could top 1.4 million, above previous estimates of 1.13 million, Xinhua news agency said. More than 1.2 million people have already been resettled, Xinhua said, citing Pu Haiqing, head of the Office of the Three Gorges Project Construction Committee under the State Council, China s cabinet.

The US$22.5 billion hydro-power project will be completed a year early in 2008, creating a reservoir 175 meters deep, Pu said. The dam will provide power and flood control for energy-hungry China, but its creation has flooded historic cities and sites and further endangered rare creatures, including a type of fresh-water dolphin.

Many of those moved from prime agricultural land have received little compensation or job prospects in the hastily-built cities above the waters, human rights groups charge.
(Planet Ark, 03/10/2006)