The Chinese government has announced it will start construction on seven dams in the Tibetan areas of Drakbar, Kyomkyo, Damba, Chuchen, Dzongbud, Tawei, Tsodun and Kokyab. Approximately 8,000 Tibetan people will be forced to move. There is also a fear that the dams will submerge several holy Buddhist shrines and other ancient landmarks. The construction of the dams and other infrastructure projects is part of the Western Development Program, launched in 1999 to transfer resources such as water and electricity from Tibet to the eastern part of China. The construction of the seven dams will be used for drinking water and electricity in Chinese cities. Tibetans say they do not have any input in this development, and don’t receive a fair share of the benefits that resulting from it. Past government promises to compensate displaced Tibetans have not been fulfilled.
