No to Polluters
In Lhasa there used to be a dark joke: in winter the only green is found at crossroads – the traffic light. But today, the city at an altitude of 3,650 meters is enlivened by large green spaces throughout the year. Over the past years it has planted along local roadways a variety of trees that can adapt to the plateau’s harsh climate.
In 2012 a large-scale greening project was launched on Nanshan Mountain on the southern bank of the Lhasa River. With a total investment of RMB 10 billion, the project introduced advanced technologies from Israel and the U.S. for reforestation in the region, which is expected to take about 10 years. The forest will play an important role in air purification, shielding wind and preventing erosion.
Meanwhile, conservation work has been started in the Lhalu Wetland, northwest of Lhasa. As the world’s highest and largest natural urban wetland, it is known as the “Green Lungs of Lhasa.” The city plans to invest RMB 700 million to resettle local residents and restore the ecosystem.
“Tibetans have always been in harmony with nature,” said Cao. “Countless migratory birds, such as wild ducks and black-necked cranes, fly to the wetlands to pass the winter.”
However, Lhasa is also a victim of global warming. Sixty-year-old Kelsang Phuntsog remembers being able to see stars every night. Now they are rarely visible, and the mountain snows are slowly melting. Even so, Lhasa still leads the country in air quality.
Regarding environmental protection, Qizhalha says, “We say no to any polluting enterprise.” He added proudly that there are no polluting enterprises within 1,000 kilometers of Lhasa. On a recent visit to Namtso Lake, he remarked that the scenery there was as pristine as the South Pole. “We must keep this holy land as it has always been,” he said.
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