The protection of ecological environment is the fundamental approach of development for Tibet because of its special location and fragile ecological environment, an expert said.

 

Tibet, with its unique natural landscape and rare wildlife, is the treasury for both China and the whole world, said Li Wenhua, academician with the Chinese Academy of Engineering.

 

The protection of its ecology is essential to Tibet's coordinated economic and social growth, Li said.

 

In recent years, ecological environment has been undermined on one hand by desertification of pasture caused by the global warming and, on the other hand affected by increased tourist activities, excessive hunting and excessive tree felling, he noted.

 

Natural degradation is a gradual and slow process and is irresistible but people can take substantial measures to greatly improve human activities so as to enable them to conform to the law of the nature for the sake of sustainable development of Tibet, he said.

 

For example, the prohibition of excessive tree lumbering is conducive to the growth of forests, he acknowledged, "The protection of ecological environment requires joint efforts of the whole society."

 

(Xinhua News Agency December 26, 2005)