The Tibet Autonomous Region in west China has so far poured nearly 400 million yuan (US$48 million) in ecological and biodiversity conservation as part of local efforts to improve the local environment.

The region has established five state-level and 13 regional nature reserves, putting 402,700 hectares of local areas under protection.

From 1990, local efforts turned over 336,000 mu (22,400 hectares) to green areas in valleys of the Yarlung Zangbo River, and Nyangqu River and Lhasa River, two of its tributaries.

In addition, vegetation has been restored on 424,000 mu (28,286hectares) of uncultivated beaches and flood lands in the valleys.

A 10-year surveillance with satellite remote sensing technology indicates that forest planting and water conservancy construction have played a pivotal role in preserving local the ecological environment.

As a result, many wildlife on the brink of extinction, such as Tibetan red deer, have re-emerged in the region.

Tibet is home to 488 avian species, 22 of which are exclusive to the region.

Thousands of bar-headed geese and ruddy sheld duck winter in Tibet. Tibet has about 4,200 black-necked cranes in winter, accounting for more than 75 percent of the world total.

(Xinhua News Agency March 20, 2004)