Most recently, the sacred and holy Tibetan Mugecuo Lake faces the threat of being dammed. For over a thousand years, this ecological wilderness has been a cultural and natural heritage site not only for local Tibetan and Chinese people, but for humanity as a whole. Mugecuo Lake, together with nearby springs and pools, sustain more than 1,000 species of rare tropical plants and 2,000 varieties of animals and birds. Spiritual pilgrims, tourists, botanists and photographers from around the world visit the area every year and the lake has been a spiritual site since pre–Buddhist times. Damming the waters of this sacred lake for limited electric–power would seriously undermine the natural and cultural heritage of the area. In addition, the project officials are proceeding with the dam plans while ignoring written opposition to the project.