Hope they can fly without wing

China's economic boom is putting tremendous pressure on the country's environment, especially when it comes to the exploitation of natural resources. China's western provinces have some of the most serious problems because that is where many of the country's natural resources are. For example, 65% of China's coal mines are in Shaanxi, Shanxi, and Inner Mongolia. 70% of the country's hydroelectric resources are located in southwest China, and 45% of the oil and gas reserves are in the western provinces.

This month's Chinese National Geography focuses on three areas: oil and gas mines in northern Shaanxi, hydroelectric projects on the Dadu River (大渡河) in Sichuan Province, and coal mines in the west of Guizhou Province.

The magazine's coverline is 'heavy wings'. It refers to China's desire to 'fly' or develop rapidly; the wings are heavy because the environmental cost of development is so great.