The truth is that no one knows what kind of long-term impact the dam so gigantic will have on the environment. It seems that fish populations are declining and pollution is increasing because the self-cleaning nature of the river has been suffocated by the dam.
The buildup of pressure on the land where the reservoir of the dam is, has caused many landslides. In addition, the water reservoir sits on top of two different fault lines and has been blamed for increased seismic activity.
The Three Gorges Dam is expensive and controversial due to the relocation of 1.4 million people and the flooding of more than 1,000 towns and villages. Pollution, sludge and landslides have contaminated the reservoir area. Given the cost of 254 billion yuan and the political prestige at stake, the government focused on the dam's achievements for many years and tried to stifle internal criticism of the project. But his public analysis has become increasingly rare.