The increasing number of small hydropower stations in Shennongjia Nature Reserve in Hubei Province has triggered worries among locals over the ecosystem damage to the best reserved forest zone in Central China.

据新华社报道，湖北省神农架自然保护区的小水电站不断增多，这让当地群众十分担忧，他们担心水电站会破坏华中地区保存最良好林区的生态系统。
The increasing number of small hydropower stations in Shennongjia Nature Reserve in Hubei Province has triggered worries among locals over the ecosystem damage to the best reserved forest zone in Central China, Xinhua reported.

水电开发可追溯到20世纪70年代，那时，为更好地保护森林，当地政府将水电做为木材燃料的替代物推广水电。
The development of hydropower dates back to the 1970s, when the local government promoted hydropower as an alternative to wood as fuel to better preserve the forests.

But a local official called hydropower stations a "double-edged sword" because while fewer trees have been cut down, the stations also cut off river flows.
但一名当地官员称，水电站是把“双刃剑”，因为虽然砍伐的树少了，但水电站截断了河流。

姚楚成是当地一位农民，面对这些拦水大坝的建设，他表示很担忧。
Yao Chucheng is a local who is frustrated with the reservoirs.

过去六年间，这位42岁的渔农投资约100万元在流经自己村子的河流旁建起了渔场。如今，正在修建的2.5万千瓦水电站将切断渔场的水源供应。
The 42-year-old fish farmer has invested about 1 million yuan over the past six years in his farm by a river that runs through his village. A 25,000-kilowatt hydropower station under construction will cut off the water supply to his farm.

(China.org.cn August 19, 2011)