A much-expected evaluation report published on Tuesday says the lake bed lining project in the imperial garden Yuanmingyuan in Beijing has seriously damaged its eco-system, but notes the anti-infiltration project could go on after the project plan is modified.

An evaluation report recommends retaining certain linings of lake beds of Yuanmingyuan, a famous Chinese imperial garden, with plastic membranes to prevent water loss, noting that removing them would cause further ecological damages.

"There's a need to adopt anti-infiltration measures to prevent water loss because Beijing faces serious water shortage," says the report, published on the website of the State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA).

"But the original program should be revised," says the report, submitted by the administrative office of Yuanmingyuan to SEPA in response to acute public concern.

Without going through environmental impact evaluation required by the law, the office began to spread plastic membranes to the bed of lakes to prevent water loss in February. The project soon incurred criticism from experts, environmentalists and the general public, prompting SEPA to order suspension of it in April and demanded the office submit an evaluation report.

The report, made by the prestigious Qinghua University, recommends using hardened clay, which it says is more environment-friendly, as the lining material instead of plastic membrane in future work.

However, it does not support removing all plastic membranes that have been laid, noting the removal process would mean another blow to the already fragile eco-system of the lakes.

One of the most frequently asked questions about the project is: if the lake beds are lined with plastic membranes, will loaches continue to survive.

Another major public concern is whether the lining material will influence the quality of water, a major attraction of the 350-hectare garden, and the environment.

A SEPA official said a panel of experts is conducting "technical examination" of the evaluation report. The project still has to wait until the panel gives their opinions in about 30 days.

The public in Beijing generally applaud the publication of the evaluation report.

"It shows the government has become more responsive to public opinions and our right to know," said Li Dihua, professor of the Environment College of Beijing University.

(Xinhua News Agency July 6, 2005)