Environment, Resources, and Ecology: new insights into the regional economic development of the Zhe-Gan Canal

Advancing the construction of the proposed Zhe-Gan Canal in China would connect the major water systems of Poyang Lake and Qiantang River, opening up new channels for low-cost freight transportation, guiding industrial trade, and forming a new pattern of inland shipping. Here we analyze the regional environment, resources, and ecology in the proposed development zone of the Zhe-Gan Canal, to assess the potential for ecological protection of the river basin while promoting industrial transfers. We will also explore construction solutions for channel locks, water supply, environmental protection practices, and project investment. Thus, this study aims to give a holistic analysis of the comparative advantages of water transportation and the coordinated development of regional economies with the proposed construction of the Zhe-Gan Canal.