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Eco solutions for Tibet announced

CHINA'S chief economic planner said yesterday the country aims to revive degraded pasture and control pest problems in Tibet by 2030.

This is the government's latest goal in the fight against global climate change and to protect the ecology of Tibet, which covers more than 1.2 million square kilometers.

The State Council, China's Cabinet, approved a plan to protect the environment in Tibet Autonomous Region on Wednesday.

"The plan is of great importance to ramping up ecological protection efforts in Tibet, fighting global warming, ensuring China's ecological safety and safeguarding the economic and social development of Tibet," said a statement from the National Development and Reform Commission.

Average temperatures in Tibet rose by 0.32 degrees Celsius every 10 years from 1961 to 2007, quicker than the global and national rates, the statement said.

"The plan also aims at curbing soil erosion, safeguarding biological diversity in Tibet, and promoting the use of clean energy in rural areas," the statement read.

Alternative energy

The government will push forward the use of hydroelectric power, methane, and solar power in rural Tibet.

"Projects, including natural grassland protection, forest fire prevention, wetland protection, the growing of forest shelter belts to protect against gales and storms, and pasture protection against desertification will be carried out," said the statement.

Tibet is famous for its more than 6 million hectares of wetlands.

Local authorities should try to balance ecological protection and economic development. They should make efforts to improve the living conditions and incomes of farmers and herdsmen, according to the NDRC.

A total investment of 8 billion yuan (US$1.2 billion) will be earmarked to improve infrastructure, including water mains, electricity, roads, mail and telecommunications for Tibetan farmers and herdsmen in 2009 and 2010, Pu Qiong, deputy director of the NDRC in Tibet, said earlier this month.

The NDRC said the government would allocate special funds for implementing the plan, but gave no details.



 

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