China bulldozes mountains to create land for cities

For years, China has been moving mountains for its people - literally.



The city of Lanzhou, in Gansu province, is in the process of bulldozing more than 700 mountains in what’s been dubbed the largest ‘‘mountain-moving project’’ in Chinese history.

One of China’s biggest construction firms is behind the multibillion-dollar plan, which will create more than 250 square kilometres of flat land and allow developers to build a brand new city.

The practise has spawned more land for Chongqing, Shiyan, Yichang, Lanzhou and Yan'an cities. One of the largest projects, in Yan'an in the Shaanxi province, is set to double the city's area by creating 78.5 square kilometres of flat terrain.









During the massive earth-moving project in the city of Lanzhou, soil erosion is predicted to increase by 10 per cent and concentrations of dust particles in the air by 49 per cent. In Yan'an, the air is often brown with dust owing to construction teams working on windy days without thinking to dampen the soil first.

The trio says research into the land creation is ‘‘local and narrow’’ with funds granted to research teams with ‘‘limited experiences and skills’’.

‘‘Until we know more about the consequences, we urge governments to seek scientific advice and proceed with caution."