China unveils plan to preserve ecological safety in Tibet

Source: Xinhua | 02-19-2009 08:27

BEIJING, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) -- China's State Council, or Cabinet, approved Wednesday a plan to protect the ecological environment in the Tibet Autonomous Region against the global climate change.

The regional government should place priority on environmental protection in Tibet, ensure the country's ecological safety and improve the living conditions of farmers and herdsmen in the southwestern autonomous region, according to an executive meeting of the State Council.

"As the main component of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Tibet has a very special and diversified ecological system," the plan read. "More measures are needed in face of the global climate change affecting world ecological environment."

According to the plan, China will strengthen pasture protection against desertification and help restore grasslands devoured by sand.

The country will also reinforce preservation of wetlands and natural reserves, build up a shelter belt against gales and storms and work to raise forest coverage.