The Tibet Autonomous Region boasts the largest wetland system in China, which supports the life cycle of the prairies. Wetland preservation has become a very important part of the region's environmental protection drive.

The first wetland survey during 1996 to 2000 showed that the area of wetland in Tibet was more than six million hectares. And the most recent survey shows that 90% of the wetland has been maintained. There are 17 varieties of wetlands in four categories, including lake wetlands, swamp wetlands, river wetlands and artificial wetlands.

The Serling Tso Lake and more than 20 satellite lakes constitute a typical alpine wetland protection zone which provides a habitat and a breeding site for rare waterfowl. There are more than 100 different bird species living there. Experts at the local forestry department say Tibet has more than 1,500 lakes with a total area of 2.5 million hectares, accounting for 30 percent of the lake area in the entire country. China's largest lake group is located here and it forms a large wetland.

Liu Wulin, Director of Forestry Survey & Planning Inst., Tibet, said, "The wetland in Tibet is an important one not only in Tibet, but also in the entire country. This is because it not only fosters many Tibetan Antelopes, but provides a breeding place for important species, like black-necked cranes, barhead geese and sheldrakes."

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