深井点降水施工工艺标准

EcologicalImprovementandEnvironmentalProtectioninTibet ForewordChina'sTibetAutonomousRegionissituatedonthemainbodyoftheQinghai-TibetPlateau.Withhighaltitude,uniquegeographicalfeaturesandrichwildlife,waterandmineralresources,ithasbeencalledthe"RoofoftheWorld"andthe"ThirdPoleoftheEarth."Itisnotonlythe"sourceofrivers"andthe"ecologicalsource"fortheareasinSouthandSoutheastAsia,butisalsothe"starter"and"regulatingarea"oftheclimateofChinaandindeedoftheEasternHemisphereasawhole.TheChinesegovernmentattachesgreatimportancetoecologicalimprovementandenvironmentalprotectioninTibet.IthasmadetremendouseffortstostrengthenecologicalimprovementandenvironmentalprotectionworkinTibet,promotethesustainabledevelopmentofitseconomyandsociety,andimprovethequalityoflifeofthepeopleofitsvariousethnicgroups.Foroverhalfacentury,ecologicalimprovementandenvironmentalprotectioninTibet,asanimportantpartoftheefforttomodernizeTibet,has,togetherwitheconomicdevelopment,socialprogressandenhancementofpeople'slivingstandards,pressedforwardandmadegreatachievements.Itwouldhelpclarifysomepeople'smisunderstandingconcerningTibet'seco-environmentalproblemandenhancetheirunderstandingofTibettoreviewtheprogressoftheecologicalimprovementandenvironmentalprotectionworkinTibet,topresentthestatusofthisundertaking,andtoenvisagetheprospectsofsustainabledevelopmentfortheregion.I.ProgressoftheEcologicalImprovementandEnvironmentalProtectionWorkinTibetTheTibetAutonomousRegionis1.22millionsq.kminarea,withanaveragealtitudeofwellover4,000mabovesealevel.Itboastsauniquenaturalecologyandgeographicalenvironment.TheclimateinTibetturnsgraduallyfrombeingwarmandmoisttocoldanddryfromitssoutheasttowarditsnorthwest.Ecologically,thechangesaremanifestedinbeltsfromforest,bush,meadowandsteppetodesert.Thecomplexandvariedterrainsandlandformsaswellastheuniquetypeofecologicalsystemhavecreatedanaturalparadiseforbiodiversity.TheoldTibetbeforethe1950shadlongbeenundertheruleoffeudalserfdom.Thedevelopmentlevelofitsproductiveforceswasextremelylow,anditwas,byandlarge,inastateofpassiveadaptationtonaturalconditionsandone-wayexploitationofnaturalresources.ItwasabsolutelyimpossibletodiscusstheobjectivelawoftheecologicalenvironmentofTibet,ortotalkaboutecologicalimprovementandenvironmentalprotection.Fromthelatterhalfofthe19thcentury,someforeignexplorersandscientistsconductedvarioussurveysandinvestigationsontheQinghai-TibetPlateau.Inthe1930s,Chinesescientistsalsocarriedoutsomesurveysandinvestigationsthere.But,generallyspeaking,theirknowledgeoftheuniquenaturaleco-environmentoftheQinghai-TibetPlateauwasincompleteandunsystematic.ItwasafterthepeacefulliberationofTibetthatecologicalimprovementandenvironmentalprotectionstartedthere,andbegantoprogressalongwiththemodernizationofTibet.--Thepeacefulliberationinitiatedtheprocessofscientificunderstanding,voluntaryprotectionandactiveimprovementoftheecologicalenvironmentinTibet.ShortlyafterthepeacefulliberationofTibetin1951,inordertounveilthemysteriesoftheQinghai-TibetPlateauandpromoteTibet'ssocialprogressanddevelopment,theCentralPeople'sGovernmentorganizedthe"TibetWorkTeamoftheGovernmentAdministrationCouncil"(onthebasisofwhichthe"TibetComprehensiveExplorationTeamoftheChineseAcademyofSciences"wasestablishedin1958),toexploreandassessland,forest,pastureland,waterconservancyandmineralresourcesinTibet.Theworkteamputforwardaproposalforscientificdevelopmentandutilization,whichstartedtheprocessofscientificunderstanding,utilizationandprotectionoftheecologicalenvironmentinTibet.Atthesametime,ecologicalimprovementandenvironmentalprotectionworkgraduallyunfolded,withtheaimofimprovingthesubsistenceconditionsontheTibetPlateau.TheStatesentforestryspecialiststoexplorepartsoftheYarlungzangboRiverValley,andcarriedoutexperimentsinthecultivationoftreesaplingsandafforestationattheJuly1FarminthewesternsuburbsofLhasa,whichlaidthefoundationforlarge-scaleafforestationandecologicalimprovementinTibet.AftertheimplementationoftheDemocraticReformin1959,amassvoluntarytree-plantingdriveusinglocaltreespeciesasthemainbreedswaslaunchedinabigwayinTibet.SuchafforestationeffortsenabledthepeopleinTibettoachieveaqualitativeleapfromthecenturies-oldpassiveadaptationtonaturalconditionstoremakingnatureontheirowninitiative.AfterthefoundingofthePeople'sGovernmentoftheTibetAutonomousRegioninSeptember1965,ecologicalimprovementandenvironmentalprotectionwereputongovernmentagendaandthusorganizationallyguaranteed,alongwiththeprogressofworkinallspheresachievedbythepeople'sdemocraticgovernment.In1975,theLeadingGroupforEnvironmentalProtectionoftheTibetAutonomousRegionanditsGeneralOfficewereestablished.In1983,theUrbanandRuralConstructionandEnvironmentalProtectionDepartmentunderthegovernmentoftheAutonomousRegionwasestablished.Sincethen,theorganizationalstructureandadministrativesystemshavekeptimproving,andecologicalimprovementandenvironmentalprotectionworkinTibethasgraduallygotontothetrackofsounddevelopment.ThecomprehensivescientificsurveysontheQinghai-TibetPlateauhavehelpedpeopletolearnaboutTibet'snaturaleco-environmentinamoresystematicandprofoundmanner.Asaresult,ecologicalimprovementworkinTibetbegantomakesubstantialheadway.TheChineseAcademyofSciencesformulatedthe"ComprehensiveScientificSurveyPlanfortheQinghai-TibetPlateaufor1973-1980."In1972,theAcademyheldthe"SymposiumonScientificSurveyintheMt.QomolangmaArea,"thefirstever,inLanzhou.Inthewakeofthissymposium,alltypesofcomprehensiveorspecializedacademicconferencesinrespectofthenaturaleco-environmentoftheQinghai-TibetPlateauwereheldoneaftertheother,accompaniedbyalargenumberofacademicachievements.TheQinghai-TibetPlateauComprehensiveScientificSurveySeriesalonecontains31titlesin42volumes,amountingtoagrandtotalofsome17millioncharacters.ThesescientificachievementshaveprovidedascientificbasisformakingbetteruseofnaturalresourcesintheeconomicdevelopmentofTibet,andforcontinuousimprovementofthehumanlivingenvironment.In1977,theMinistryofAgricultureandForestryorganizedforthefirsttimeanall-roundsurveyoftheforestryresourcesacrossTibet.Since1978,tomeettherequirementsofafforestation,some50saplingfarmshavebeensetupinvariousplaces,introducing,naturalizingandcultivatingscoresoftreebreedssuitableforTibet.--Thereformandopening-uphasenabledecologicalimprovementandenvironmentalprotectionworkinTibettoprogressinalaw-governedmanner.Afterthereformandopening-uppolicywasadoptedsometwodecadesago,asTibethasgrownmoremodern,greaterattentionhasbeengiventotheAutonomousRegion'secologicalimprovementandenvironmentalprotection,whichisprogressingsteadilyinalaw-governedmanner.Inthe13yearsfrom1982to1994,theStandingCommitteeofthePeople'sCongressoftheTibetAutonomousRegion,andthePeople'sGovernmentoftheTibetAutonomousRegionanditsvariousdepartmentsenactedandimplementedmorethan30relevantlocalregulations,governmentalstandardizationdocuments,anddepartmentalrulesandregulations,whichformedarelativelysystematiclocallegalregimeconcerningenvironmentalprotection.Asfarasthecontentswereconcerned,theyincludedcomprehensiveregulationsconcerningecologicalandenvironmentalprotection,suchasthe"RegulationsforEnvironmentalProtectionintheTibetAutonomousRegion",aswellasspecialregulationsfordifferentareasofecologicalandenvironmentalprotection,suchaslandmanagement,mineralresourcesadministration,forestprotection,grasslandprotectionandcontrol,waterandsoilconservation,wildanimalsprotection,naturereservesadministration,andpollutiontreatment.Theserulesandregulationscoveredalmostallareasinecologicalandenvironmentalprotection,sothattherewerelawstogobyinallthesespheres.TheStatehasdirectlyinvestedincomprehensiveagriculturaldevelopmentprojectsonthemiddlereachesofthe"threerivers"(theYarlungzangbo,LhasaandNyangqurivers),withtheemphasisontheimprovementoftheecologicalenvironment,andhasachievednoticeableecologicalresults.Withregardtotree-plantingandgrass-growingonbarrenmountains,hillsidesandbeaches,thegovernmenthasenactedaspecialpolicyfeaturing"thelastingandinheritablepracticeofwhoeverreclaimsthelandshallbeentitledtooperateandgetbenefitfromit."Thishasencouragedlocalpeopletoplanttreesandgrowgrass,andguaranteedtherightsandinterestsduetothemineco-environmentalamelioration.Investigationsonthecurrentstatusoftheecologicalenvironmentintheareasofland,wildfaunaandflora,plant,insectandwetlandresourceshavebeensuccessfullycarriedout.Eco-environmentresearchershavebeguntomonitorandtracetheimpactofhumanactivitiesontheecologicalenvironment,carriedoutvariousprojectssuchasdynamicremote-sensingmonitoringoftheeco-environmentforcomprehensiveagriculturaldevelopmentonthemiddlereachesofthe"threerivers",overallsurveyofthegrainpollutioncausedbyresidualorganochlorine,andinvestigationonthesourcesofindustrialpollution,andhaveproposedrelevantpoliciesandmeasuresforpollutionpreventionandcontrol.Publicityandeducationconcerningecologicalimprovementandenvironmentalprotectionhavebeenwidelycarriedout,strikingdeeprootsintheheartsofthepeople.Themedia,includingradio,television,newspapersandtheInternet,havegivenwidecoveragetoafforestation,wildanimalsandplantspreservation,andenvironmentalprotection.Importantcommemorativeevents,suchasWorldWetlandsDay,ArborDay,EarthDay,WorldEnvironmentDayandWorldDesertificationandDroughtControlDayhavedrawntheattentionofpeoplefromallwalksoflifeinTibet.Lessonsonecologicalimprovementandenvironmentalprotectionaregiveninschools,andanefforttoestablish"greenschools"isinfullswing.--ConcernfromtheCentralGovernmentandsupportfrompeoplethroughoutthecountryhaveenabledTibettoembarkuponanewphaseinitsecologicalimprovementandenvironmentalprotectionundertakings.TheCentralGovernmentcalledtheThirdForumonWorkinTibetin1994,andmadeanimportantdecisiontoextendthesupportofthewholenationtoTibetunderthecareoftheCentralGovernment,whichhasgivenapowerfulimpetustoacceleratingtheecologicalimprovementandenvironmentalprotectionworkthere.Sincethe1990s,theStateEnvironmentalProtectionAdministrationhasorganizedenvironmentalprotectiondepartmentsthroughoutthecountrytosupportTibetinenhancingitsenvironmentalprotectioncapability,helpedbuildenvironmentmonitoringstationsintheAutonomousRegion,inthecitiesofLhasaandXigazeandinQamdoPrefecture,helpedtrainlargenumbersoftechnicalandadministrativepersonnelinthefieldofenvironmentalprotection,andhelpedformulateanecologicalprotectionandpollutioncontrolplan.Inthe"NationalPlanforEco-environmentalImprovement"andthe"NationalProgramforEco-environmentalProtection"formulatedbytheStateCouncilrespectivelyin1998and2000,greatattentionhasbeenpaidtoecologicalimprovementandenvironmentalprotectioninTibet,andaseparateplanhasbeendrawnuptomakethefreezethawingzoneontheQinghai-TibetPlateauoneofthecountry'seightmajorareasforecologicalimprovement,completewiththepropositionofasuiteofexplicittasksandprinciplesforworkinthisregard.Onthebasisofthis,thePeople'sGovernmentoftheTibetAutonomousRegionformulatedthe"Eco-environmentalImprovementPlanoftheTibetAutonomousRegion"in2000,whichhasprovidedanoverallprogramandarrangementforTibet'seco-environmentalimprovement.AftertheStatedecidedtoadoptthegreatwesterndevelopmentstrategy,theCentralGovernmentheldtheFourthForumonWorkinTibetin2001,andfurtherincreasedinvestmentinecologicalimprovementprojectsinTibet.FromtheperspectiveofattainingsustainabledevelopmentinTibet,ithasbeenexpresslystipulatedthattourismandgreenagriculturebedevelopedasthepillarindustriesforpromotingeconomicgrowthinTibet.II.EcologicalImprovementandBiodiversityProtectionThepositiveeffortsmadebytheTibetAutonomousRegionforecologicalimprovementandbiodiversityprotectioninthepastfivedecadesormorehavebeencrownedwithsignalsuccess.--Naturalgrasslandisrationallyutilizedandtheactivegrasslandecologicalprotectioniseffective.TibetcontainsoneofthefivelargestpasturelandsinChina.Ithas82.07millionhectaresofnaturalgrassland,representingabout21%ofthetotalnaturalgrasslandofthecountryand68.11%ofthetotallandareaofTibet.Accordingtothefirstnationalsurveyofgrasslandresources,thevarietyofgrasslandinTibetranksfirstamongallprovincesandautonomousregions.Ofthe18typesofgrasslandinthecountry,Tibethas17.ToprotectthegrasslandecologyisanimportantlinkinpreservingacompleteandorderlychainofecologyontheQinghai-TibetPlateau.ThoughthegrasslandareainTibetisverylarge,itscarryingcapacityislow.GrasslandoverloadwasnotsignificantintheolddaysinTibet,becauseofstagnantpopulationgrowth,frequentnaturalcalamities,andmassivehumanandlivestockdeathsintimesofsnowstormsandothernaturaldisasters.SincethepeacefulliberationofTibet,theaveragelife-spanofthelocalpopulationhasexpandedremarkably,thepopulationhaskeptincreasing,andasaresulttheissueofinsufficientgrasstofeedtheever-growinglivestockpopulationhasbeguntoappear.Consequently,tokeepanecologicalbalanceonthepasturelandhasgraduallybecomeaprominentproblem.Toeasethecontradictionsbetweenhumanbeingsandfarmanimalsandbetweengrasssupplyandfarmanimals,Tibethastakenasuccessionofmeasurestostrengthentherationalutilizationandecologicalprotectionofnaturalgrassland.First,emphasishasbeenplacedonfencingandbuildingwaterconservancyprojectsonnaturalgrassland,andraisingboththeoutputlevelofgrasslandanditscarryingcapacityperunitarea.Secondly,apastureresponsibilitysystemhasbeenimplemented.Inlinewiththeprincipleoflimitingthenumberofgrazinganimalsbythesizeofthepasture,rotationgrazingperiods,rotationgrazingareasand"no-grazingareas"havebeendesignated.Effortshavebeenmadetoincreasethemarketavailabilityrateofthelivestockandtoeffectivelyprotectnaturalpasturesbystrictlyprohibitingover-grazing.Thirdly,man-madegrasslandisbeingpromotedsoastoeasethepressurebroughttobearonnaturalgrasslandbytheever-growinglivestockpopulation.Fourthly,effortsarebeingintensifiedtopreventorcontrolhazardscausedbymice,insectsandpoisonousweeds,andtomaintainthenaturalecologicalbalanceofthegrasslandbyutilizingscientificmeans,andartificialandbiologicaltechnologies.Fifthly,toenhancegrasslandameliorationinthepastoralareas,changethenomadicwayofproduction,speedupeconomicdevelopmentinpastoralareasandimproveherdsmen'slivingstandards,projectstoconstructgrasslandinthepastoralareas,buildpermanentsettlementsforrovingherdsmen,andrestoreandimprovenaturalgrasslandhavebeenlaunchedsince2001.Thesemeasuresnotonlyhavesteadilyraisedtheincomeoffarmersandherdsmenandenhancedtheirlivingstandards,butalsoensuredthesounddevelopmentofthegrasslandecology.--Protectingnaturalforestresources,carryingoutafforestationandimprovingtheecologicalenvironment.Tibetboasts7.17millionha.offorest,andthestockingvolumehasreached2.091billioncum.TibethasthelargestprimitiveforestinChina.ToprotectTibet'secologicalenvironment,thegovernmentexercisesa"fellingbyquota"policy,andstrictlycontrolsthescaleoftree-fellinginforests.Theannualfellingamountforcommercialpurposeislimitedto150,000cum.Simultaneously,arotationsystemisinplaceforlumberingbasessoastohelprestorevegetation.AprojectfortheprotectionofnaturalforestresourcesontheupperreachesoftheYangtzeRiverinTibet,withatotalareaof31,000sq.km,hasbeenimplementedinthethreecountiesofJomda,GonjoandMarkamthathaveaweightybearingontheecologyofthelowerYangtzevalley.In28countiesalongtheupperreachesoftheJinsha,LancangandNujiangriversandthecatchmentareaoftheYarlungzangboRiver,wherethehazardsofsandstormandsoilerosionareserious,aprojecttorestorefarmlandtoforestisbeingundertaken,underwhich52,000ha.ofcultivatedlandwillberestoredtoforestandtreesplantedon53,000ha.ofbarrenmountainsandwasteland.By2002,some6,700ha.ofcultivatedlandhadbeenrestoredtoforestand6,700ha.ofbarrenmountainsandwastelandafforested.Thegovernmentisalsostrivingtopromotethedevelopmentofenergysubstitutesandfuelforests,andpopularizesolarenergyinordertoprotectnaturalbushvegetation.IthasbecometheconsciousactionofthepeopleinTibettojoinafforestationefforts.ThegovernmentoftheTibetAutonomousRegionhasformulatedthe"ForestationPlanoftheTibetAutonomousRegion"andthe"OpinionsonAccelerationofAfforestation."Thepeopleofthewholeregionaremakingeffortsbystartingwiththeimprovementoftheirlivingenvironments,firstofallbygreeningtheircourtyards,streetsandurbanenvironmentingeneral,andeventuallybuildinggreenbeltsinrivercatchmentareaswherehumanactivitiesareconcentrated,andalongmajorhighways.Theresultshavebeenremarkable.Accordingtoasurvey,overthepast50-plusyearssome70,000ha.oflandhavebeenafforestedinTibet,90milliontreeshavebeenplantedbesidevillages,houses,roadsandwaterways,and1.5millioncashtreeshavebeengrown.Afforestationandecologicalprojectshavebeenlaunchedsteadily.Implementationofthekeyprojects,suchastheafforestationprojectinLhasaanditsoutskirts,theconstructionoftheshelter-forestsystemoftheYarlungzangboRiver,thepilotprojectoftheYangtzeRivershelter-forestsysteminMarkamandthepilotprojectforcontrollingsandbyafforestationinXigaze,has,toagreatextent,improvedthenaturaleco-environmentofthoselocalities.Since1996,theStatehasbeguntobuildashelter-forestsystemalongtheupperandmiddlereachesoftheYangtzeRiver.By2000,ithadinvestedmorethan3.7millionyuanintheproject,activelysupportingTibetinbuildingman-madeforestsandsealingoffmountainousareastofacilitateafforestationasappropriatetolocalconditions.Theafforestedareahastopped13,000ha.,which,asaresult,hasplayedapositiveroleinimprovinglocalresidents'workingandlivingconditions.Followingimplementationoftheprojectfortheconstructionoftheshelter-forestsystemoftheYarlungzangboRiver,whichispartofthekey"threerivers"agriculturaldevelopmentundertaking,aman-madeforestbeltmeasuringseveralhundredkmfromXigazetoZetangontheupperreachesoftheYarlungzangboRiverhasbeenformed.Now,anewspectacularscene,thebeltplaysapositiveroleinconservingwaterandtopsoilalongtheYarlungzangboRiver.Duetotheeffectiveprotectionofnaturalforestresourcesandafforestation,theforestcoverageinTibethaskeptgrowing.Ithasgrownfromlessthan1%inthe1950sto5.93%today,andhasplayedapositiveroleinimprovingtheAutonomousRegion'secologicalenvironment.Accordingtoreportsfromrelevantmonitoringdepartments,duetotheincreaseinman-madevegetation,thenumberofsandstormdayshasdecreasednoticeablyinTibet.Currently,itis32daysfewerinLhasa,34daysfewerinXigazeand32daysfewerinZetang,than30yearsago.--Comprehensivecontrolofsoilerosionhasbroughtnoticeableachievements.TheTibetPlateaubelongstothealpinecoldmeadowandsteppelandscape,whichischaracterizedbypoorwaterandsoilconservationandvulnerabilitytoserioussoilerosion.Overthepast50years,soilerosioninTibethasbeeneffectivelycontrolledbyafforestationandconstructionofwaterconservancyprojects.Inrecentyearsinparticular,theStateandtheTibetAutonomousRegionhaveincreasedtheirinvestmentinsoilerosioncontrol,whichhasyieldedhighlydesirableresults.Bytheendof2001,theStatehadinvestedmorethan36.8millionyuaninTibet,built53,000ha.offoreststoconservewaterandtopsoil,growngrasson67,000ha.,harnessedsoilerosionon1,166sq.km,andlaunchedacomprehensivecontrolprojectintheRadoigousmallcatchmentareainQuxuCounty,Lhasa,andimplementedcomprehensivecontrolprojectsforconservingwaterandtopsoilinGyangzeandNyemocounties.Simultaneously,theTibetAutonomousRegionhasformulatedthe"PlanforConservationofWaterandTopsoilinTibet"andseveralotherplansinrespectofwaterandsoilconservationandsoilerosioncontrol,promulgatedthe"MeasuresofAdministrationforWaterandSoilConservationProjectsintheTibetAutonomousRegion,"andmadeprevention,supervisionandprotectionthetoppriorityofthewaterandsoilconservationwork,inordertopreventnewsoilerosioncausedbyhumanactivities.Toenablethecomprehensivecontrolofsoilerosiontobecarriedoutinamorescientificway,theTibetAutonomousRegionlaunched,in2001,theconstructionofawaterandsoilconservationmonitoringnetworkwithaninvestmentofmorethan60millionyuantoprovideoverallmonitoringforsoilerosionacrossTibet.--Achievementshavebeenmadeindesertificationpreventionandcontrol.SandstormshaveafflictedTibetthroughoutitshistory.Now,asaresultoftheexpansionoftheholeintheozonelayercausedbyglobalwarming,Tibethasbeenfacingproblemsofrisingsnowlines,dried-uplakes,anddeterioratedgrasslandinrecentyears.InsomeareasinTibet,pasturelandhassufferedanaturaldeterioration,andsomeofithasbeenreducedtosandandstone.Tocontrolpasturelanddeteriorationanddesertification,Tibethasbeguntoimprovetheenvironmentofitsrivers,withtheemphasisonimprovingsmallrivervalleysandthedesertificationofdeterioratedpastureland.Withthegoalofestablishingarelativelygoodecologicalsystemofforestryandgrassland,Tibethasadoptedmeasuresconsistingofafforestation,aerialsowingandclosingoffhillsidestofacilitateafforestation.Ithasplantedtrees,bushesandgrassonalargescalenearriversandinareasthathavebeenhitmostseriouslybypasturelanddeteriorationanddesertification.Projectstoprotectthenaturalforestsandwetlands,andtoreconvertfarmlandintoforestorpasturehavebeencarriedoutontheupperreachesoftheYangtzeRiver.In2002,thegoalwastoreconvertsome13,000ha.offarmlandintoforest.TheCentralGovernmentprovided10millionyuanassubsidyforseedlings,and15millionkgofgrainandtwomillionyuanasallowanceforfamiliesoffarmersandherdsmenwhosefarmlandhadbeenrestoredtoforest.TreeswereplantedinthevicinityofLhasa,andinimportantagriculturalareasforestshelterbeltswerebuiltaroundthefieldstoreducesoilerosionbysand.Thesemeasureshavebroughttheever-expandingdesertificationthreatundercontrol.    --Greatprogresshasbeenmadeinprotectionofbiodiversity.Tibetisoneofthemosttypicallybiodiverseregionsintheworld.Itisanimportantgenepoolforthebiodiversityoftheglobe.Atpresent,thereareover9,600wildplantsinTibet,39ofwhicharelistedintheConventiononInternationalTradeinEndangeredSpeciesofWildFaunaandFloraandareunderspecialStateprotectionasrareandendangeredspecies.Thereare798speciesofvertebratesandnearly4,000speciesofinsectsinTibet,125ofwhichareunderspecialStateprotection,accountingformorethanonethirdofthewildanimalsunderspecialStateprotection.Approximately600speciesofhigherplantsandmorethan200speciesofterrestrialvertebratesareendemictotheQinghai-TibetPlateau.Overthepast50-plusyears,theCentralGovernmentandtheregionalgovernmentofTibethaveconductedextensivesurveysonTibet'sbiologicalresources.Theyhaveworkedoutscientificplansandprogramsfortheprotectionofwildanimalsandplants.Theyhavealsoadoptedasequenceofmeasuresforeffectiveprotectionoftherareandendangeredspecies.InaccordancewiththerelevantStatelawsandregulations,theTibetAutonomousRegionhasestablishedforestlawenforcementorgansandtheTibetArmedPoliceForestryContingent.Theyhaveconductedthe"HohxilActionNumberOne"andotherspecialcampaignsintheborderareasofQinghai,XinjiangandTibettoprotecttheTibetanantelopeandotherrareanimals.Thesecampaignshavedealtaheavyblowtopoachersandcurbedlaw-violationactivitiesthathavedonedamagetowildanimalresources.Meanwhile,theStatehasinvestedmillionsofyuaneachyearininfrastructurefacilitiesforforestsecurityandforestfirepreventioninTibet.In2002,theStatesetaside3.66millionyuanfromitsnationaldebtrevenueforaspecialprojectaimedatcrackingdownonpoachersofTibetanantelopes.Ithasalsostrengthenedpublicityontheprotectionofwildanimals.NowpeopleinTibetarehighlyconsciousoftheimportanceofprotectingwildanimals,andtheoncerampanthuntingofTibetanantelopeshasbeenbroughtundercontrol.Overthepast50yearsormore,notonespeciesinTibethassufferedextinction.Biodiversityiseffectivelymaintained,andbiologicaltypesarecontinuouslyenriched.Reddeer,generallyconsideredbytheinternationalanimalresearchcommunitytohavevanishedinthe20thcentury,werediscoveredagaininTibetinthe1990s,andtheirnumbersareincreasing.AsTibetopenswidertotheoutsideworld,non-nativecreaturessuchascarp,cruciancarp,eelandloach,high-productivityandqualitycattle,sheep,pigs,chicken,ducks,aswellascorn,watermelonsandvegetableshavebeenintroducedfromtheinlandareastoTibet,wheretheyarethrivingtoday.--Greatachievementshavebeenmadeintheestablishmentofnaturereserves.EstablishingnaturereservesisanimportantmethodusedbyTibettostrengthenecologicalimprovementandenvironmentalprotectionworkandimplementthestrategyofsustainabledevelopment.Sincethe1980s,Tibethasestablishedmorethan70naturereservesofdifferenttypes.Ofthese,threeareonthenationallevel(fourmorenational-levelnaturereservesarebeingplanned)and15areontheautonomousregion(provincial)level.Thetotalareaofthe18naturereservesis401,000sq.km,accountingfor33.4%ofthelandareaofTibetand30.8%ofthetotalareaofChina'snaturereserves.Inaddition,prefecturesandprefecture-levelcitiesinTibethaveestablishedover50naturereservesofthecorrespondinglevel.Arationallydistributednatureprotectionnetworkofdifferenttypesisbasicallyinplace.InlightofthegeneralprogramandrequirementsoftheState,thePeople'sGovernmentoftheTibetAutonomousRegioniscarryingoutthe"DevelopmentPlanforNatureReservesintheTibetAutonomousRegionfor1996-2010."Itisexpectedthat28newnaturereservesatorabovetheautonomousregionlevelwillbeestablishedbefore2010.Bythen,alltypesofnaturereservesotherthanseaandseashoreecosystemoneswillbefoundinTibet.Inordertorestorethenaturalecosystem,humanactivitiessuchaseconomicdevelopmentarestrictlylimitedintheestablishednaturereserves.Asaresult,theecologicalenvironmentinmostofthenaturereserveshasbecomestableandtheprospectsarequitegood.Breedinggrounds,habitatsandimportantecosystemsforrareandendangeredspecies,importantwetlandsformigratorybirds,aswellasthenaturallandscapes,geologicalsitesandbiologicalsitesofscientificimportancearenowwellprotected.Allthe125wildanimals,39wildplantsandtypicalgeologicalfeaturesinTibetthatareontheStateprotectionlistarewellpreservedintheestablishednaturereserves.TheTibetAutonomousRegionhasmorethansixmillionhaofwetland,accountingforabout4.9%ofTibet'stotallandareaandrankingfirstinChina.Itsalpinewetlandsareuniqueintheworld.Accordingtomonitoringbytherelevantdepartments,thenumberofbothwildanimalsandplantsinthenaturereservesisobviouslyincreasing,andthetotalreservesofwildanimalresourceshaveincreasedbyupwardsof30%.Rareanimalsthathadnotbeenseenformanyyearshavereturnedtotheirhabitats.IntheChangtangNatureReserve,monitoringinthepastfewyearshasrevealedthatthenumbersofwildanimalssuchasTibetanwilddonkey,argaliandantelopehaveincreasedtodifferingdegrees.ThenumberofTibetanantelopeshasreached40,000to50,000intheNyimacentralreserve.Afteranaturereserveforblack-neckedcraneswasestablishedonthemiddlereachesoftheYarlungzangboRiver,thenumberofblack-neckedcraneswinteringtherehasincreasedeachyear,accountingforabout80%oftheearth'stotalnumberofblack-neckedcranes.III.EcologicalImprovementandEnvironmentalProtectionamidEconomicDevelopment　TheecosysteminTibetisextremelyfragile,andtheabilitytoresistdisturbanceandregenerateisweak.Oncetheecosystemisdamaged,itishardtorestoreitforalongperiodoftime.Formorethan50yearsTibethasadheredtothestrategyofsustainabledevelopment,ensuringtheclosecombinationandcoordinateddevelopmentofecologicalimprovement,environmentalprotectionandeconomicconstruction.Whiletheeconomydevelopsrapidlyandthepeople'slivingstandardsareconstantlyrising,theecologicalenvironmentisbeingeffectivelyprotected.Inaccordancewiththelatestmonitoringfindings,theenvironmentofwaterandtheatmosphereinTibetarebasicallyunpolluted.TheaverageannualconcentrationofsuspendedparticlesintheatmosphereofTibet'scitiesisbetween193and268percum.NomajorenvironmentalpollutionaccidenthasoccurredinTibet,andmostofitsmajorriversandlakesareinaprimordialstate.    --Environmentalprotectionandecologicalimprovementaresynchronizedwithagriculturalproductionanddevelopment.InTibet,thenaturalconditionsforagriculturearepoor,infrastructureisweak,grainproductivityislowandthecapabilitytowithstandnaturaldisastersislow.Therefore,itisnecessarytostrengthenagriculturalinfrastructureconstruction,transformlow-andmedium-yieldfieldsandimprovetheleveloftheagriculturalecosystemforagriculturalproductionanddevelopment.Withthisaiminmind,thegovernmentoftheTibetAutonomousRegionhasendeavoredtoraisegrainyieldbyimprovingtheeco-environmentforagriculturaldevelopment.Thegovernmentishelpingfarmerschangetheirtraditionalcultivationhabitsoflettinglandlieidleafterharvest--acenturies-oldpracticeknownas"whitefallow",whichisdetrimentaltowaterandsoilconservation.Rotationofgrainandgrassisadoptedtoincreasethefertilityofthesoilanditsabilitytoconservewater.Whileattentionispaidtofarmlandwaterconservancyconstruction,aforestshelternetworkisbeingbuilttoprotectfarmlandfrombeingerodedbysandstorms.Asaresultofpersistentefforts,therateoflandusageinthemajoragriculturalproducersincentralTibethasincreasedgreatly,andthelevelofsoilerosionhasdeclinedmarkedly.Naturalconditionslikewaterandheat,whicharefundamentaltothegrowthoffarmproduce,havebeenimproved.In2000,surveysbyexpertsfoundthatthecomprehensiveeco-environmentappraisalindexofthisareahasgoneupby1.5percentagepointsfrom10yearsago.Theimprovementoftheecologicalenvironmenthassteadilyincreasedagriculturalproductivity.By2001,agricultureinTibethadhadbumperharvestsfor14yearsinarow.Thetotalgrainoutputhadreached982,500tons,enoughtomakeTibetbasicallyself-sufficient.TheStatehasinvestedalargesumofmoneyonaseriesofcomprehensiveagriculturaldevelopmentprojectsinTibet.Itismakingsurethatwhilelandareasareexpanded,theecologicalenvironmentisimprovedatthesametime.Inthemajorconstructionprojects,suchasthecomprehensiveagriculturaldevelopmentprojectonthemiddlereachesofthe"threerivers"withaninvestmentof1.2billionyuanfromtheCentralGovernment,environmentalprotectionandecologicalimprovementaremadekeypartsoftheprojects.Monitoringoftheecologicalenvironmentincomprehensiveagriculturaldevelopmentinthe"threerivers"areainthepast10yearsindicatesthat,duetoanorganiccombinationofbiologicalandengineeringmeasures,boththetypesandrateoflandutilizationandtheacreageofman-madevegetationintheareahaveincreasedmarkedly.Desertificationandsoilerosionhavebeeneffectivelychecked,andthecomprehensiveindexoftheeco-environmentqualityhasbeenraisedbyonetothreegrades.Comprehensiveagriculturaldevelopmenthasnotonlyreapedsignificanteconomicbenefits,butalsoresultedingoodsocialandecologicalbenefits.--Industrialprojectsareselectedcarefully,andpollutionpreventionandcontrolarestrengthened.IndustrywasnotdevelopedatallinTibetuntilaftertheregion'speacefulliberation.Eventoday,therearefewindustrialenterprisesinTibet,andsoindustrialpollutionisnotmuchofaproblem.Inordertoreducethebadeffectscausedtotheecologicalenvironmentbyindustrialdevelopment,thegovernmentoftheTibetAutonomousRegionhasadheredtotheprincipleofplacingequalemphasisonbothindustrialdevelopmentandenvironmentalprotection.Asindustriesaredevelopedintheregion,Tibethasmadeeveryefforttoensurethatwhiletheybringabouteconomicprofitstheyhavesocialandenvironmentalbenefitsaswell.Noindustrialprojectistobelaunchedjustbecauseofitsenvisagedeconomicbenefitorjustbecauseitwillfillagapinthefield.Toeffectivelycombatpollution,thegovernmenthasadoptedaseriesofpollution-preventionmeasurestoensurethatthedevelopmentofmodernindustrydoesnotdamagetheecologicalenvironment.First,industrialpollutionisdealtwiththroughindustrialrestructuring,product-mixadjustmentandtechnologicaltransformation.Forinstance,theLhasaLeatherFactoryhasimportedenvironmental-protectionfacilitiesalongwithadvancedtechnologiesandequipmentfromGermany.TheLhasaBrewery,whichusedtobeabigpolluter,hasspentmorethanfourmillionyuanonequipmenttotreatindustrialsewageaspartofitstechnologicaltransformationefforts.Asaresult,itssewagedischargehasmetthespecifiedstandard.Second,supervisionandmanagementoftheenvironmenthasbeentightened.Rectificationhasbeencarriedoutinrespectofenterprisesthatfailtomeettherequirementsforpollutantdischarge.Inaccordancewiththeguidingprincipleof"openingbigenterprisesandshuttingdownsmallones"forindustrialrestructuring,sixvertical-kilncementproductionlinesinLhasaproper,whichusedtobeseriouspolluters,havebeenshutdown.Enterprisescausingseriouspollutionarebarredfromproduction,andoutdatedtechnologiesandequipmentprohibitedbytheStatehavebeenwinnowedout.--Strengtheningevaluationandmanagementoftheimpactofresourcesdevelopmentandmajorinfrastructureconstructionprojectsontheecologicalenvironment.Apolicyisimplementedensuringthatnonewconstruction,reconstructionandexpansionprojectsshallbeauthorizedunlessanevaluationoftheirimpactontheenvironmenthasbeenconducted.Thispolicyandthesystemofthe"threesimultaneouses"(pollutionpreventionfacilitiesaredesigned,builtandcommissionedsimultaneouslywiththemainproject)arestrictlyenforced.Morethan80%ofmedium-sizedandlargeconstructionprojectshavegonethroughevaluationoftheirimpactontheecologicalenvironment.TheNorbusaandShangkasamchromiteminingprojectsincludeeco-environmentalprotectionasakeytaskinresourcesdevelopment.WithrespecttothehydropowerstationatYamzhoyumcoLake,whichhasattractedtheattentionoftheworld,fullconsiderationwasgiventotheprotectionoftheecologicalenvironment,startingfromthedecisiontobuildthestationtoitsdesignandconstruction.Sincethishydropowerstationwasputintooperation,electricitygenerationhasnotcausedthewaterlevelinthelaketodrop,whichwouldhaveharmedthenaturaleco-environmentofthelake.--Muchattentionhasbeenpaidtothecomprehensivetreatmentoftheecologicalenvironmentinurbanareasinordertoimprovepeople'slivingenvironmentinareaswithdensepopulation.ThecomprehensivemanagementoftheecologicalenvironmentincitiesandtownshasalwaysbeenstressedinecologicalimprovementandenvironmentalprotectionworkinTibet.Toguaranteethequalityoftheatmosphericenvironment,Tibetisactivelypopularizingtheuseofnon-pollutingenergysourcesincitiesandtowns,andphasingoutfuelssuchasfaggot,oxdung,coalandoilcurrentlybeingcommonlyusedbylocalresidents.Itencouragespeopletoadoptnaturalgasasfuelfordailyuse.By2001,thenumberofliquefiedpetroleumgasusersinLhasaandXigazehadincreasedto44,600households,accountingfor83%oftheircombinedtotal.Atthesametime,Tibetisactivelyusingcleanenergysourceslikewater,geothermal,solarandwindenergies.Apatternfeaturingwaterenergyasthemainenergysourcecomplementedbyothertypesofenergieshasinitiallybeenformed,andhasbeenagreathelptotheprotectionoftheecologicalenvironment.TheamountofsolarenergyusedinTibeteachyearisequivalenttothatprovidedby130,000tonsofstandardcoal.InLhasaandXigaze,1,693.6ha.oflandarecoveredbytreesorgrass,and47.48ha.arepublicgreenareas.Therateofgreencoverageinestablisheddistrictsis23.5%.Constructionofplumbingandtreatmentofsewagehasbeenpushedaheadinurbanareas,and679,460mofwatersupplypipesand392,770mofsewagepipeshavebeenlaid.Thegovernmenthasinvested51.2794millionyuaninbuildingLhasa'sgarbagedisposalplants,andgarbagedisposalfacilitiesforothercitiesarebeingactivelyplanned.--Devotingmajoreffortstothedevelopmentoftourismandotherspecialtyindustriesthatarebeneficialtotheprotectionoftheecologicalenvironment.DevelopingspecialtyindustrieswithrelativelylittleimpactontheecologicalenvironmenthasalwaysbeenanimportantpolicyinacceleratingtheeconomicdevelopmentofTibet.Withitsuniquenaturalgeographicalandculturalenvironments,Tibetenjoysanature-endowedadvantageindevelopingtourismandothertertiaryindustries.In1996,thePeople'sGovernmentoftheTibetAutonomousRegionadoptedthe"DecisiononSpeedingUptheDevelopmentofTourism",andputtourism--oneoftheAutonomousRegion'spillarindustries--inaprominentplaceanddevelopeditvigorously.In2001,Tibetplayedhostto686,100domesticandforeigntourists,itsearningsfromtourismtotaling750millionyuananditsearningofforeignexchangereaching46.38millionUSdollars.Some6,506peoplearedirectlyinvolvedinthetouristindustry,whilemorethan30,000peopleareindirectlyinvolved.ThestatusoftourisminTibet'seconomyisrising.Althoughtourismpollutestheenvironmenttoonlyaverysmallextent,thelocalgovernmenthaspaidmuchattentiontoproblemsarisingfromthedamagetotheecosystemandfromenvironmentalpollutioninthedevelopmentoftourism.Tourismandenvironmentalprotectiondepartmentsareactivelytakingmeasurestocollect,classifyanddisposeofgarbageleftinscenicspotstopreventpollutionoftheeco-environment.GarbagebinshaveevenbeensetupattheharshMt.Qomolangmamountaineeringheadquarters.Garbageleftbyclimbersandtouristsiscollected,removedanddisposedofperiodically.    IV.BuildinganEcology-FriendlyRailwayLine--theQinghai-TibetRailway    TherewasnohighwayinTibetbeforeitspeacefulliberation.EconomicandsocialcontactsinTibetanditscontactswiththeoutsideworlddependedsolelyonhumanpoweranddraftanimals,aswellaspostroads.Now,atransportationnetworkconsistingof24,000kmofhighways,adozenairroutesandmorethan1,000kmofpipelineshasbeencompleted.Still,Tibetremainstheonlyautonomousregion(province)inChinainaccessiblebyrail.TransportationhaslongbeenabottleneckholdingbacktheeconomicandsocialdevelopmentofTibetandhinderingtheimprovementofthepeople'slivingstandards.BuildingtheQinghai-TibetRailwayhasbeenthelong-cherishedwishofpeopleofallethnicgroupsinTibet.ItisnotonlyessentialforstrengtheninglinksbetweenTibetandthehinterland,acceleratingtheeconomicandsocialdevelopmentofTibetandimprovingthelocalpeople'smaterialandculturalwell-being,butisalsoofgreatsignificanceforenhancingethnicunityandcommonprosperity.    OnJune29,2001,withtheapprovaloftheCentralGovernment,constructionofthesectionbetweenGolmudandLhasabeganaspartofthesecondphaseoftheQinghai-TibetRailwayproject.Thisrailwaylinewillbe1,142kmlong,andwillinvolveaninvestmentof26.21billionyuan.Itwilltakesixyearstocomplete.MakingtheQinghai-TibetRailwayanecology-friendlyrailwaylinewasthegoalsetatthetimetheprojectwasappraised.--Duringtheinitialresearchperiod,anappraisaloftheimpactoftherailwaylineontheenvironmentwascarefullyconducted.Intheinitialperiodoftheproject,relevantdepartmentschoseseveralaspectsthatwouldaffecttheecologicalenvironment,andconductedintensiveresearch.OnthebasisofthisresearchandwitharrangementbytheChinesegovernment,specialistsfromvariousfieldscarriedoutin-depthon-the-spotinvestigations,andconductedasoundscientificappraisaloftheimpactoftherailwaybuildingonTibet'secologyandenvironmentinlightoftherequirementsoftheenvironmentalprotection,waterandsoilconservation,andwildanimalsprotectionlaws,andthoseofthe"NationalPlanforEco-environmentalImprovement",andthe"NationalProgramforEco-environmentalProtection."Theycompiledareportandsomeotherdocuments,offeringtheirappraisalsoftheenvironmentalimpacts,togetherwithproposalsforprotectionoftheecologicalenvironment.Inlightoftherequirementsoftheappraisal,aguidelinefortheconstructionoftheprojectwasworkedout,i.e.,"givingprioritytopreventionandprotectionandattachingequalimportancetobothdevelopmentandprotection."Theresultoftheappraisaloftheecologicalenvironmentwasusedtoguidethedesigningandconstructionoftherailwaylineanditsenvironmentalmanagement.Some1.2billionyuanwillbespentonenvironmentalprotectionfacilitiesfortheQinghai-TibetRailway,arecordsuminthisaspectforrailconstructioninChina.--Atthedesignstageofthisrailwayline,protectionoftheecologicalenvironmentwasthedecidingfactorintheplanfortheproject.ProtectionoftheecologicalenvironmenthasbeenanessentialconcerninthedesignoftheQinghai-TibetRailway.Therouteswereselectedsothattheywouldkeepawayfromthemajorhabitatsofwildanimals.Theoriginaldesignoftherailwaywouldhaveitpassingthroughtheblack-neckedcranenaturereserveonthemiddlereachesoftheYarlungzangboRiver.Aftermanydiscussions,thedesignersdecidedtoselectacircuitousrouteviaYangbajain,toavoiddisturbingthebirds.Butifavoidancewasimpossible,suchasthesectioncuttingthroughtheHohxil,QumarandSoganaturereserves,theplannerswouldcompareseveraldesigns,andputforwardprotectionmeasurestominimizedisturbancetothenaturereserves.Basedontheinvestigationsandstudiesofthehabitsandmigrationpatternsofthewildanimalsalongtherailwayline,theplannersestablished25passagewaysforwildcreaturesatdifferentsectionsoftheline.Indesigningbridgesandtunnels,thedesignersgavefullconsiderationtotheneedsofwildlifecrossingtherailwayline.Atmanyspots,specialbridgeswereplannedtoprovidepassagewaysformigratingwildlifesothatthenormallifeoftheseanimalswouldbeguaranteedasfaraspossible.HohxilisoneofthehabitatsoftheTibetanantelope,whichfacesthedangerofextinctionandisundertheState'sfirst-gradeprotection.InJuneandJulyeachyear,theyformgroupsandtravellongdistancestoZhoineandTaiyanglakestobreed.Thebuildersoftherailwaylinestoppedworkforfourdays,withdrewworkersandequipmentfromtheconstructionsiteandremovedthecoloredflagsthatwouldalertandfrightentheTibetanantelopes.Theanimalseventuallypassedthroughtheconstructionsitewithoutbeingdisturbed.Topreventdamagetograsslandsandwetlands,theplannersdesignedmanyspecialbridges.ThetotallengthofbridgesbuiltforthisrailwaylineinTibetalonewouldreach13km.Whencompleted,thestationsalongtheQinghai-TibetRailwaywilluseenvironment-friendlyenergysourcessuchaselectricity,solarenergyandwindenergyforheating.Garbageatthestationswillbecollectedforbatchtreatment.Domesticsewage,afterbeingtreatedtomeettheState'sdischargestandard,willbeused,wheneverpossible,towatergreenspaces.Thepassengercarswillbesealed.Garbageonthetrainswillbecollectedinplasticbagswhichwillbehandedovertostationsalongtheplateauforbatchtreatment.Tosuitthecharacteristicsoftheplateau,thecentralstationmanagementmodewillbeadopted,withsevencentralstationsestablishedalongtheline.Eachofthesestationswillbetotallyresponsibleforthetrains'runningandmaintenanceinanareawithinaradiusof80km.Whereverpossible,remoteautomaticcontrolandmechanizedmaintenancewillbeadoptedtoreducethenumberofboththeorganizationsandtheirstaffontheplateau,therebygivingmaximumprotectiontothenaturaleco-environmentoftheQinghai-TibetPlateau.--Reducingtheadverseimpactoftherailwayconstructionontheecologicalenvironmenttotheminimum.Toachievethisgoal,alltheconstructionunitshavesignedaresponsibilitypledgeforeco-environmentalprotectionwiththeQinghai-TibetRailwayConstructionPlanningOffice.TheOfficealsorequiresallconstructionunitstoformulateorimproverulesandregulationsforprotectingtheecologicalenvironment,andestablishenvironmentalprotectionsectionsrunbyfull-timeorpart-timeadministrators.Itisalsoimperativefortheconstructionunitstotakespecificscientificmeasurestoprotecttheecologicalenvironment;andtheirconstructionplansmustmeettherequirementsforenvironmentalprotection.Competentgovernmentaladministrationdepartmentsofland,environmentalprotectionandwaterconservancyandrelevantunitsresponsiblefordesign,supervisionandconstructionmustworktogethertodecideonthesitesfortakinganddischargingdirtandplacingbuildingmaterialssuchassandandstone.Theyshoulddetermine,accordingtotheavailabilityofsunlightandhardnessofice,theappropriatedistancebetweenthosesitesandtherailwayroadbeds,aswellasthetrafficroutesforworkersandvehicles.Constructionandrelevantactivitiesshouldbedonewithinthedesignatedareastokeepthepermafroststable.Theheadwatersandwetlandsalongtherailwaylinearetobespeciallyprotectedtoavoiddesertificationintheheadwatersareas,shrinkageofwetlands,deteriorationofgrasslandsandwaterpollutionthatmightbecausedbytheconstruction.Attentionistobepaidtotheprotectionandregenerationofgroundvegetation.Inplacesdifficultforplantstogrowandontheconstructionsitesandtransportationroutes,theturfshouldbepreservedandreplantedinotherplacessectionbysection,tobemovedbacktocovertheslopesoftheroadbedsandconstructionsites,soastominimizethelossofgroundvegetation.Wherenaturalconditionsarerelativelygood,grassseedssuitableforplateauareasshouldbecarefullyselectedandplantedwithappropriatemeansofcultivationtorestoreasmuchaspossiblethegroundvegetationthatexistedbeforetherailwayconstruction.Wherethenaturalconditionsaregoodenough,turftobecultivatedbymanpowershouldbetriedout,supportedbythetechniquesofspraysowingandplasticfilmmulching.IntheTuotuoRiverarea,wheretheYangtzeRiveroriginates,test-plantingofgrassonplateauroadbedshasbeensuccessfulinthefirststage.Therailwaybuilderswilltakeallmeasurestomeettheenvironmentalrequirementsoftherailwayconstruction.AkeypointinbuildingtheQinghai-TibetRailwayistoprotecttheecologicalenvironmentalongtherailwayline.Allunitsinvolvedintheconstructionaremakinggreateffortsinthisrespect.TheChinaRailwayNo.14EngineeringBureau,forinstance,has13keytechnicalproblemsnowundergoingscientificresearch,ofwhichhalfconcernenvironmentalprotection.Therearesixsupervisorsinthisbureauwhoareinchargeofeco-environmentalprotectionontherailwayconstructionsites.Theyareresponsibleforensuringthatthecampsites,work-siteaccessroadsandpassageways,quarries,andsitesforsupplyingdirtanddiggingtrenchestakeupaslittlespaceaspossible.Theyarealsoresponsibleforsupervisingaccommodationfacilitiestoensurethatthedelicateplateauvegetationisproperlyprotected.    --Takingeffectivemeasurestominimizethepollutionthattherailwayconstructionmightcausetotheplateau'secologicalenvironment.Toachievethisgoal,theconstructionunitshavetriedtousehigh-efficiency,low-noiseandlow-pollutionequipment.Theyhavetriedtoadoptmoremechanizedwaysofconstructionanduseasfewadministratorsandworkersaspossibleontheworksites.Wheneverpossible,prefabricatedconcretecomponentsarecarriedtotheconstructionsitesandassembledthere.Inordertoavoidthepollutioncausedbyslurryaroundbridge-buildingsites,theyusedry-boringbyrotarydrillswherepossible.TheOfficerequiresthatallwastewaterfromconstructionandcampsitesbeprocessedtomeetthecorrespondingsewagetreatmentstandardbeforedischarge.Solidwastefromconstructionsitesandtrashfromcampsitesmustbesortedoutandrecycledwheneverpossible.Wasteandtrashthatcannotbedegradedshouldbemovedtoappropriateplacesforbatchtreatment.--Strengtheningsupervisionandinspectionofenvironmentalprotectiontomeettheprotectionrequirements.AnenvironmentalprotectionsupervisionsystemforawholerailwaylinewasfirstadoptedfortheQinghai-TibetRailway.TheOfficeentrustedathirdpartytosupervisetheenvironmentalprotectionworkallalongthelineduringthewholeperiodoftherailwayconstruction.Tostrengthensuchsupervisionandinspectionwork,theStateEnvironmentalProtectionAdministrationandtheMinistryofRailwaysjointlyissuedthe"NotificationonStrengtheningtheSupervisionandManagementoftheEco-environmentintheBuildingoftheQinghai-TibetRailway",settingoutspecificrequirementsfortheenvironmentalprotectionandsupervisionworkduringtheconstructionperiod.TheStateEnvironmentalProtectionAdministration,theMinistryofRailwaysandothergovernmentdepartmentsconcernedhaverepeatedlysentinspectiongroupstosupervisetheimplementationoftheseenvironmentalprotectionmeasures.Anyviolationoftheenvironmentalprotectionregulationsisseverelypunished.WiththeconcertedeffortsofallconcerneditisjustifiabletobelievethattheQinghai-TibetRailway,asaplateaurailwayuptotheenvironmentalprotectionstandard,willtrulybenefitthepeopleofallethnicgroupsinTibet.V.TheStrategicChoiceforSustainableDevelopmentForthepast50yearsorso,benefitingfromtheconcernoftheCentralGovernmentandsupportfromthewholenation,peopleofallethnicgroupsinTibethavepulledtheirfullweighttogiveanearth-shakingnewlooktoTibet,andhavemadeachievementsinecologicalimprovementandenvironmentalprotectionthathaveattractedattentionworldwide.PeopleinTibettodayliveandworkinpeacenotonlywithaboomingeconomyanddevelopingsociety,butalsowiththeirlandscapekeptbeautiful,theirriverskeptclean,theiranimalspecieskeptdiversified,andtheirvegetationkeptlush.Tibethastrulybecomea"Shangri-La."RapidlyshakingoffitstraditionalbackwardnessandquickeningitsstepstowardmodernizationarethenaturalrequirementsfortheprogressanddevelopmentofTibetsocietyandtheferventwishofalltheethnicgroupsinTibet.LocatedontheQinghai-TibetPlateau,Tibethasapeculiargeographicalenvironmentandafragileecosystem.Therefore,itisanimportantpartofTibet'sprogresstomodernizationandastrategicchoiceforsustainabledevelopmentthatTibetshouldprotecttheregenerativecapacityofitsnaturalresources,improvethequalityofitsecologicalenvironment,preservetheintegrityandself-adjustmentabilityofitsnaturalecosystem,andensurethesafetyoftheecosystemandtheharmoniousunityandcoordinateddevelopmentofTibet'seconomy,societyandecosystem.EcologicalimprovementandenvironmentalprotectioninTibetcannotbeachievedifdevelopmentstepsfalter,butnorshouldweattainshort-termeconomicdevelopmentatthecostoftheecologicalenvironment.Wecanonlyfollowthelawofsocialdevelopment,attachequalimportancetobotheconomicdevelopmentandeco-environmentalprotection,givingattentiontoprotectionintheprocessofdevelopmentandseekingdevelopmentintheprocessofprotection,andimplementthestrategyofsustainabledevelopment.Ecologicalimprovementandenvironmentalprotectionshouldbedoneinanactive,thrustinganddynamicmanner,andnotinapassive,conservativeandclosed-doorway.Wecannotrefuseanyinteractionbetweenmanandnaturaleco-environmentontheexcuseofpreservingthefragileprimitivenaturalstate,becausethiswillhampertheeconomicandsocialdevelopmentandtheimprovementofpeople'slivingstandardinTibet.Therelationshipbetweentheexplorationandutilizationofnaturalresourcesandeco-environmentalprotectionmustbehandledproperlyinthecourseofthemodernizationofTibet,soastopromotechangesinthemodeofeconomicgrowth.ItisclearfrompastexperienceinTibetthattheexplorationandutilizationofnaturalresourcesmustfollowthelawsofnature,takingbothlong-termandoverallinterestsintoconsideration,soastoavoidbeingtooeagerforquicksuccessandinstantbenefitstotheextentofover-burdeningtheecologicalenvironment.Ascientificattitudeandmethodologymustbeadoptedinexploringnaturalresourcesandprotectingtheecologicalenvironment.Naturalresourcesthatarenottobeexploredandusedshouldbestrictlyprotected,whiletheexplorationandutilizationofneededresourcesshouldbedonescientificallywithadefinitegoal,topreventanyunwantedimpactontheecologicalfunctions.OnlyinthiswaycanthenaturalresourcesinTibetbeutilizedrationallyandscientifically,andcaneconomicdevelopmentandeco-environmentalimprovementbeachievedsimultaneously.Tibet'secologicalimprovementandenvironmentalprotection,justasitseconomicandsocialdevelopment,haveavitalbearingnotonlyonthefundamentalinterestsofthepeopleofallethnicgroupsinTibetbutalsoonthecommoninterestsofthewholenation.PeopleofallethnicgroupsinTibetarethemajormotivatorsanddirectparticipantsintheecologicalimprovementandenvironmentalprotectionworkinTibet.Theyarealsothemainbeneficiariesofawell-preservedecologicalenvironment.CarryingforwardsuchworkwillbenefitboththeStateandthepeopleforgenerationstocome.StartingfromthefundamentalinterestsofthepeopleinTibetandthefundamentaldemandofthepeopleofallethnicgroupsacrossChinaforcommonprosperity,overthepastfivedecadesandmoretheChineseCentralGovernmentandtheregionalgovernmentofTibet,inaspiritofbeinghighlyresponsibleforposterityandtheworldasawhole,havemadetremendouseffortstopromoteanddeveloptheecologicalimprovementandenvironmentalprotectionworkinTibet,andhavemadeachievementsthathavecapturedworldwideattention.TheDalaicliqueandtheinternationalanti-ChinaforcesshuttheireyestotheprogressintheecologicalimprovementandenvironmentalprotectionworkinTibet.TheyhavespreadrumorsallovertheworldthattheChinesegovernmentis"destroyingTibet'secologicalenvironment","plunderingTibet'snaturalresources"and"deprivingtheTibetanpeopleoftheirrighttosubsistence",andsoonandsoforth,inordertomisleadworldpublicopinionanddefacetheimageofChina.Camouflagingthemselveswithpretensionsofconcernabouteco-environmentalprotectioninTibet,theywantreallynothingbuttohamperthesocialprogressandmodernizationofTibetandtopreparepublicopinionfortheirpoliticalaimofrestoringthebackwardfeudalserfdominTibetandsplittingtheChinesenation.ItistruethattherearestillmanyproblemsinTibet'secologicalimprovementandenvironmentalprotectionefforts.Asthewholeglobalecosystemisdeteriorating,thefragileecologyinTibetisparticularlyaffected.Mud-rockflows,landslides,soilerosion,snowstormsandothernaturalcalamitiesoccurfrequentlyinTibetanddesertificationisthreateningtheregion'seco-environment,compoundedbyman-madedamagetotheecologicalenvironmentasTibet'seconomydevelops.AllthesethingshaveattractedmuchattentionfromtheCentralGovernmentandtheregionalgovernmentofTibet.Inordertoensurethepermanentstabilityoftheecologicalenvironmentandnaturalresourcesandtoguardagainstpossiblenewthreatstothem,theregionalgovernmentofTibet,supportedbytheCentralGovernment,hassetupandputintopracticesince2001amammothplanforecologicalimprovementandenvironmentalprotection.Fromnowuntilthemid-21stcentury,morethan22billionyuanwillbeinvestedinover160eco-environmentalprotectionprojectsaimedatsteadilyimprovingtheecosysteminTibet.ThereisnodoubtthatthepeopleinTibetwillcreateanevenmorebeautifulenvironmentandanevenbetterlifeforthemselvesinthecourseoftheirfuturedevelopment.        InformationOfficeoftheStateCouncilofthePeople'sRepublicofChinaMarch 2003,Beijing