|
There is an old folk song that describes Tibet’s turquoise
sky and golden sun. In fact, numerous Tibetan ballads praise the
bright sunshine, glorious mountains and beautiful rivers of the
world’s highest plateau.
A massive orogenic movement tens of millions of years ago resulted
in the formation of the Himalayas, Kangdese, Kunlun and Tanggula
mountains, now collectively known as the ‘Roof of the World’.
This movement also led to the creation of one of Asia’s most
unique ecosystems, and set a climate adjustor for the Northern
Hemisphere. Nowadays, the Qinghai-Tibet railway brings a convenient
link with the outside world to local residents, but is the railway
damaging the area’s distinctive environment?
According to Zhang Yongze, director of the Tibet Autonomous Region
Bureau of Environmental Protection, the local government has always
embraced the idea of sustainable development and attaches great
importance to ecological protection. The careful management of
industrial pollution and radiation control ensures Tibet’s
fine ecological balance is being maintained.
Zhang tells us that an overall environmental protection plan
has been in place for several years, as well as specific projects
involving reforestation, sand control and soil erosion prevention.
In addition, 38 natural preservation zones covering 408,300 square
kilometers and several ecological parks have been created.
Environmental protection measures have won widespread popular
support in Tibet, and are enforced through government regulations
that prevent the contamination of river basins and control industrial
pollution. In addition, Lhasa has prohibited the production, selling
and use of disposable plastic dinnerware.
Mr. Zhang also wished to remove any doubts about the Qinghai-Tibet
railway. He says environmental protection measures have been enforced
throughout the railway’s construction and operation. These
include careful monitoring of the air, water, wildlife and frozen
soil along the railway; the evaluation of environmental impacts
after three to five years in order to develop a better protection
policy; and control of pollution from garbage in towns and cities
on the railway’s route. Furthermore, local authorities intend
to draw on these experiences in setting up monitoring systems
along the Lhasa-Xigaze railway.
Zhang stated constructing an ongoing ecological protection system
on the holy plateau is a key priority. Such a system will ensure
that Tibet addresses one of the central concerns of the modern
era, by maintaining a harmonious balance between economic development
and environmental protection.
|
