◇In July 2021, Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, President of the State, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, pointed out during an inspection in Tibet that protecting the ecological environment of Tibet will benefit the future and the world. We must firmly establish the concept that lucid waters and lush mountains are gold and silver, and ice and snow are also gold and silver, maintain strategic focus, improve the level of ecological environment governance, promote the protection of biodiversity on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, and unswervingly follow the path of ecological priority and green development, Strive to build a modernization where man and nature coexist harmoniously, and effectively protect the ecology of the third pole of the earth.
◇ Tibet will take the lead of creating a national ecological civilization highland, strengthen the protection of ecological functional areas, promote breakthrough progress in ecological scientific research, continue to strengthen biodiversity protection, and fully release the ecological dividends of building a beautiful Tibet.
◇By the end of 2023, the average proportion of days with excellent air environment quality in the seven cities (prefectures) in Tibet will reach more than 99%, and sand and dust weather will be significantly reduced; the water quality of major rivers and lakes will meet or be better than Class III standards, and the water quality of centralized drinking water sources in cities and towns will be The compliance rate is 100%, the soil environment is safe and stable, and the ecological environment quality of Tibet remains at the leading level in the country.
◇Tibet has established a nature reserve system with national parks as the main body, bringing more than 600,000 square kilometers of land into the ecological protection red line, accounting for more than 50% of the region's land area.
◇my country is promoting the "Tripolar Environment and Climate Change" international major science plan, focusing on the common destiny of mankind, building a Tripolar scientific research community, and responding to the challenges of global climate change.
◇“The construction of national parks effectively maintains the authenticity and integrity of the core distribution areas of key wildlife.”
◇“Our job is to conduct experiments using seeds or living plants, and eventually return them to their original sites for cultivation to protect biodiversity.”
◇The "Peach Blossom Festival" has been held since 2002 and has become increasingly famous, attracting tourists from all over the world. Today, the annual per capita disposable income of residents in Gala Village reaches 35,000 yuan.
◇Currently, the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau ecosystem carbon sink is 162 million tons per year, accounting for 8% to 16% of the national ecosystem carbon sink, and this proportion will increase in the future.
Video: Outlook·Chronicle of State Administration｜Effectively protect the ecology of the third pole of the earth
Source: Outlook
This is one of the regions with the best ecological environment quality in the world. The air quality is comparable to that of the Arctic region, and the soil environment is generally in a natural background state.
This is one of the most biologically diverse areas in the world. China's tallest trees thrive here, and wild animals such as Tibetan antelopes, black-necked cranes, snow leopards, and Bengal tigers thrive here.
This is also an ecologically fragile area and a sensitive area to global climate change. Once the ecological environment is damaged, it will be very difficult to repair it.
The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, known as the "Roof of the World", "The Third Pole of the Earth" and "Asia's Water Tower", is an important national ecological security barrier. Protecting the ecology of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is the greatest contribution to the survival and development of the Chinese nation.
In July 2021, Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, President of the State, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, pointed out during an inspection in Tibet that protecting the ecological environment of Tibet will benefit the future and the world. We must firmly establish the concept that lucid waters and lush mountains are gold and silver, and ice and snow are also gold and silver, maintain strategic focus, improve the level of ecological environment governance, promote the protection of biodiversity on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, and unswervingly follow the path of ecological priority and green development, Strive to build a modernization where man and nature coexist harmoniously, and effectively protect the ecology of the third pole of the earth.
Special ecology receives special attention and protection. In July 2021, the 20th meeting of the Central Committee for Comprehensive Deepening Reforms reviewed and approved the "Plan for Ecological Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau." In April 2023, President Xi Jinping signed an order of the President of the People's Republic of China and promulgated the "Qinghai-Tibet Plateau Ecological Protection Law of the People's Republic of China."
"We firmly grasp the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important instructions, stand responsible for history, the people, and the world, create a national ecological civilization highland, resolutely shoulder the political responsibility for ecological civilization construction, and strive to develop while protecting , achieve a higher level of protection during development, and strive to be at the forefront of the country in ecological civilization construction." said Wang Junzheng, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Tibet Autonomous Region.
From the promulgation and implementation of local regulations and government regulations such as the "Tibet Autonomous Region National Ecological Civilization Highland Construction Regulations" and the Tibet Autonomous Region Environmental Protection Regulations, to the establishment of the Tibet Autonomous Region Party Committee Ecological Civilization Construction Leading Group, to the improvement of law enforcement procedures and a series of mechanisms, Tibet Guided by the creation of a national ecological civilization highland, we will strengthen the protection of ecological functional areas, promote breakthrough progress in ecological scientific research, continue to strengthen biodiversity protection, and fully release the ecological dividends of building a beautiful Tibet.
Ecology first, green development. In the mountains and rivers of the "Third Pole of the Earth", cadres and masses of all ethnic groups have worked hard and for a long time to solidly promote the construction of ecological civilization.
Continuously build a solid national ecological security barrier
Tibet is a national ecological security barrier with special ecological status and value, and plays an extremely important role in my country's and global ecological security. From the perspective of the natural environment, Tibet's natural ecology is inherently sensitive and fragile. With global climate warming, the Tibetan Plateau has obvious signs of warming and humidification, and ecological security risks and natural disaster risks continue to increase.
“Tibet deeply understands that the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau’s greatest value lies in ecology, its greatest responsibility lies in ecology, and its greatest potential lies in ecology. Taking the creation of a national ecological civilization highland as the starting point, it strives to build stable ecosystem functions, good ecological environment quality, and manageable ecological security risks. A new pattern of Tibet’s ecological security barrier that is satisfactory to the control and people’s approval,” said Li Sang, Secretary of the Party Leadership Group of the Tibet Autonomous Region’s Department of Ecology and Environment.
Protect the sensitive and fragile ecological environment and keep the bottom line and red line firmly in mind. Tibet demarcates and strictly adheres to three types of territorial space: urban space, agricultural space, and ecological space, and three control lines: urban development boundaries, permanent basic farmland, and ecological protection red lines, and implements ecological protection red lines, environmental quality bottom lines, resource utilization upper lines, and ecological environment The access list is "three lines and one order", and the ecological environment is controlled by zoning. In recent years, Tibet has promulgated and implemented the Regulations on the Construction of National Ecological Civilization Highlands in the Autonomous Region, the Regulations on the Prevention and Control of Air Pollution, and revised the Regulations on Ecological and Environmental Protection, providing strong legal support to secure the ecological bottom line and red line.
We will implement special mechanisms to protect fragile and sensitive ecological environments. Tibet has established a nature reserve system with national parks as the main body, bringing more than 600,000 square kilometers of land into the ecological protection red line, accounting for more than 50% of the region's land area.
At present, Tibet has 47 nature reserves of various types at all levels, with a total area of 412,200 square kilometers. Land types with strong ecological functions such as woodlands, grasslands, wetlands, and waters have increased to 1.0811 million square kilometers; the Sanjiangyuan National Park has been established ( Tangbei area), strengthen the protection and restoration of the sources of Chinese rivers such as the Yangtze River source area and the Lancang River source area; typical areas such as Qiangtang, Mount Everest, Kailash, Gaoligong Mountain, and Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon are included in the "National Park Space" Layout Plan" to promote the construction of Tibet's natural protected area system into a new stage.
Protect the fragile and sensitive ecological environment and promote major projects. Nanshan Park is located on the south bank of the Lhasa River and is an excellent viewing point overlooking Lhasa city. "In the past ten years, I have traveled to Lhasa many times, and every time I come, I have a different experience. Before, the North and South Mountains were bare. My friends said this was because Tibet was too cold and oxygen-deprived to grow trees. Now when I come to the Nanshan Mountains, I see the plank roads on both sides. The tree has changed so much!" said Mr. Huang, a tourist from Guangzhou.
It was unimaginable before to implement greening projects in Tibet, which has an average altitude of over 4,000 meters. In 2021, the largest afforestation construction project in Tibet - the greening project of the North and South Mountains of Lhasa was officially launched. By 2030, the project will have completed afforestation of 2.067 million acres; after completion, the average annual water storage capacity will be approximately 49.8 million tons, the average annual carbon sequestration volume will be 229,100 tons, and the annual ecological value will be 1.485 billion yuan.
The "Two Rivers and Four Rivers" afforestation and greening project, degraded wetland protection and restoration, natural forest protection, comprehensive management of grassland ecological restoration, desertification prevention and control, forest ecological benefit compensation... Tibet has successively implemented a series of major ecological projects, with a total investment of 12.7 billion yuan. .
A series of measures to create a national ecological civilization highland have brought clear water, green grass and blue sky to the snowy plateau.
By the end of 2023, the average proportion of days with excellent air environment quality in the seven cities (prefectures) in Tibet will reach more than 99%, and sand and dust weather will be significantly reduced; the water quality of major rivers and lakes will meet or be better than Class III standards, and the water quality of urban centralized drinking water sources will meet the standards. The efficiency is 100%, the soil environment is safe and stable, and the ecological environment quality of Tibet remains at the leading level in the country.
Support ecological protection with ecological scientific research
The Tibetan Plateau has a profound impact on climate change across the country, Asia and even the world. Comprehensively promote the second Qinghai-Tibet scientific expedition, build a scientific research base platform, and promote the transformation of results... Tibet continues to use ecological scientific research to provide solid support for ecological protection and provide Chinese solutions to the challenges of global climate change.
On October 1, 2023, 18 scientific expedition team members successfully climbed to the summit of Cho Oyu, the sixth highest peak in the world, marking that my country has the systematic capabilities and established team to carry out extremely high-altitude summit scientific expeditions, achieving strategic expansion. . The two "Peak Mission" Everest scientific expeditions in 2022 and 2023 will set multiple world records.
These summit activities are an integral part of the second comprehensive scientific expedition to the Tibetan Plateau. This scientific expedition conducted an in-depth analysis of the environmental changes and mechanisms of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, produced a number of original theoretical results in the frontier fields of international earth sciences and life sciences, participated in the preparation of the "Tibet Ecological Civilization Highland Plan", and released the "Scientific Assessment of Environmental Changes in the Tibetan Plateau" and other authoritative scientific reports to support the formulation of national strategies.
"We are working tirelessly to integrate scientific research results into international organizations and planned development strategies to provide Chinese solutions for the joint construction of global ecological civilization." said Yao Tandong, academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and researcher at the Tibetan Plateau Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Strengthen the construction of scientific research base platforms and further consolidate the ecological scientific research foundation of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.
The Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research of the Chinese Academy of Sciences is currently the only national research institution in China that specializes in comprehensive scientific research on the Tibetan Plateau. Chen Fahu, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said that the institute has deployed 10 field observation stations (centers) on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, among which the Namtso Alpine Lakes and Environment, Qomolangma Special Atmospheric Processes and Environmental Changes, and the Nagqu Alpine Grassland Ecosystem Station have become national-level field stations. stand.
It is understood that based on the "Third Pole Environment" and "Pan-Third Pole Environment" international plans initiated and established by the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, my country is promoting the "Third Pole Environment and Climate Change" international large-scale scientific plan, focusing on the common destiny of mankind. Build a three-pole scientific research community to respond to the challenges of global climate change.
Scientific research results continue to contribute to ecological protection. Research on the restoration technology of typical degraded ecosystems on the plateau has made breakthroughs in key technologies for restoration of degraded grassland vegetation, and obtained 10 new technologies, new methods and new technologies; built the Lhasa Earth System Multi-dimensional Network Ecological Protection, Restoration and Governance Demonstration Project, and proposed a systematic plan for ecological protection, restoration and governance; identified The ecosystem changes and carbon sink functions of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau serve the optimization of the national ecological security barrier system and the national goal of carbon neutrality... In recent years, Tibet has continued to carry out technological research and application demonstration research in the fields of climate change impacts, biodiversity and other fields. A number of The effect of innovative achievements in serving plateau ecological protection is gradually emerging.
Taking plateau waste treatment technology as an example, scientists have developed a low-carbon energy utilization technology system for plateau solid waste biomass, which effectively reduces solid waste treatment costs by about 15% and reduces environmental pollution emissions by more than 75%. Related results have been extended to Qinghai and other places. Realized economic benefits of nearly 300 million yuan.
Protect plateau biodiversity
On January 26, 2024, scientific researchers used an infrared camera to capture images of golden cats moving at an altitude of 4,415 meters in the Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon National Nature Reserve in Medog County, becoming the first golden cat in the world so far. The highest distribution altitude.
"Golden cats are an endangered species, and it is rare to see them in Medog, Tibet. The Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon area is one of the areas with the richest and most complex golden cat color patterns in the world. At least six golden cats have been monitored and recorded so far. Color type." Lu Zhi, a professor at the School of Life Sciences at Peking University, said that this shows that Medog's biodiversity environment is constantly improving.
The climate in Tibet is very unique - from southeast to northwest, it transitions from warm and humid to cold and dry; the natural ecology changes in a zonal pattern from forests, shrubs, meadows, grasslands to deserts. The special regional environment has given birth to a unique biological community, where many unique and rare wild animals and plants are concentrated, becoming a natural paradise for biodiversity.
Zhang Hong, director of the Wildlife and Wetland Resources Management Division of the Forestry and Grassland Bureau of the Tibet Autonomous Region, introduced that as of the end of 2023, the Tibet Autonomous Region has recorded more than 9,600 species of wild plants, including more than 700 species of bryophytes, vascular plants (ferns and 7,489 species of seed plants), 2,760 species endemic to China, 1,075 species endemic to Tibet; 383 species of rare and endangered wild plants, 383 species of rare and endangered wild plants, 1,072 species of terrestrial vertebrates, and 1,072 species of terrestrial vertebrates. There are 219 species of animals, and the populations of most protected species have seen significant recovery growth.
In order to better protect Tibet's biological diversity, the construction of national parks has been escorted. As the main body of the ecological barrier of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in the framework of the national ecological security system, the Qiangtang National Park being created protects the world's largest migratory breeding population of Tibetan antelopes. The Everest National Park, which is also being created, is known as a gene bank of unique wildlife species in the Himalayas. "The construction of national parks effectively maintains the authenticity and integrity of the core distribution areas of key wildlife." said Wu Wei, director of the Forestry and Grassland Bureau of the Tibet Autonomous Region.
In recent years, Tibet has continued to carry out a series of special law enforcement inspection operations such as "Green Shield", "Migratory Bird No. 2", "Tianbao No. 2", "Spring Thunder" and "Green Guard". A group of ecological guardians such as "Everest Guardians", "Forest Rangers" and "Fishermen" have emerged on the snow-covered plateau. They trekked on the plateau, shuttled between primeval forests, and protected the original habitats of wild animals and plants.
In November 2023, the Tibet Autonomous Region Tibetan Antelope Conservation and Research Center and the Tibet Autonomous Region Wildlife Conservation and Rescue Center were officially established at the Qushui County Zoo in Lhasa City. Since then, a snow leopard rescued by Qushui County Zoo has been released into the wild in the uninhabited area of Qiangtang, marking the official launch of the first rescue function area and scientific research service platform with characteristics of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, and Tibet's wildlife protection has entered a new era. development stage.
Germplasm is the basis for the continuation of life and the reproduction of the race. Tibet is accelerating the construction of a germplasm resource bank to "extend longevity" for the unique plateau life.
In 2017, Tibet’s first germplasm resource bank was put into operation. "Our job is to conduct experiments using seeds or living plants, and eventually return them to their original habitat for cultivation to protect biodiversity," said Wen Xuemei, director of the Tibet Autonomous Region's Germplasm Resource Bank. At present, the Tibet Autonomous Region Germplasm Resource Bank has 8 branches including plant seed bank, DNA bank, microorganism bank, animal bank, and insect bank, which can meet the long-term and complete storage and storage requirements of various biological germplasm resources in Tibet.
Tibetan wild donkeys in Qiangtang National Nature Reserve in Tibet (file photo). Photo by Jigme Dorje/This Journal
Green development and shared ecological dividends
The turbulent Yarlung Zangbo River flows from west to east, and meets the beautiful Niyang River in Linzhi, the "snowy south of the Yangtze River", forming the Yani National Wetland Park.
58-year-old Bai Maqiao is a villager in Liding Village, Bayi District, Linzhi City, Tibet, and one of the 45 managers of the Yani Wetland. Repairing fences, stopping uncivilized behavior, picking up garbage... He walks around the Yani Wetland for half a day every day.
With the delineation of ecological protection red lines and the advancement of wetland park construction, some villagers who have put down their animal husbandry whips are engaged in eco-tourism, and some have developed Tibetan chicken farms, ecological orchards and other industries, and receive ecological compensation funds from the state every year .
The transformation of the Yani Wetland has witnessed Tibet’s insistence on protecting the ecological environment during development and embarking on a path of green development in which the people share ecological dividends.
Rob, who has lived and worked in the Ngari area for decades, pointed to a photo of Shiquanhe Town taken 20 years ago to show reporters: "It was very windy and sandy here at that time. When I came back from a trip to the countryside, the sand was piled up in front of the house. It’s higher than the threshold.”
Deep burial, shallow exposure, frequent watering... Based on the geographical environment characteristics, the Ngari region scientifically explores the experience of afforestation. Through the continuous efforts of cadres and the masses, the Shiquan River Desertification Prevention and Control Project has achieved afforestation of 53,000 acres, planted 8.85 million trees, and planted 6,100 acres of grass. A "green barrier" has been built on the vast wasteland on both sides of the Shiquan River.
Changes are not just happening in Shiquanhe. Nagqu City demonstrated and promoted tree planting on more than 200 acres, ending the local history of "planting a tree that cannot survive"; Linzhi City successfully established a national forest city; 11 counties and cities including Bomi, Qiongjie, and Jiangda became national ecological civilization construction projects Demonstration area... Today in Tibet, the plateau ecological culture of harmonious coexistence of man and nature continues to develop.
A good ecology benefits more people's livelihood. Gala Village in Linzhi City, Tibet is known as the "No. 1 Peach Blossom Village" in Tibet. In March, peach blossoms are in full bloom, and this small village puts on new pink clothes and is immersed in a sea of flowers. The local "Peach Blossom Festival" has been held since 2002 and has become increasingly famous, attracting tourists from all over the world. Today, the annual per capita disposable income of residents in Gala Village reaches 35,000 yuan.
Tibet unswervingly follows the path of ecological priority and green development, and more and more people are enjoying ecological dividends. In 2023, Tibet will receive a total of 55 million tourists and achieve revenue of 65 billion yuan. Both the number of tourists and revenue from tourism have reached record highs.
In recent years, Tibet has focused on developing clean energy industries. From extreme power shortage to accelerating the construction of a national clean energy base, from a single production method to "all-in-one" hydro, wind, solar and geothermal power generation. As of the end of 2023, Tibet's installed electricity capacity reached 7.58 million kilowatts, of which clean energy accounted for 91.44%. The four "power sky roads" of Qinghai-Tibet, Sichuan-Tibet, Central Tibet and Ngari run across the north and south, and the main network covers nearly 3.3 million people in 74 counties and cities in the region. The people of Tibet have completely bid farewell to the history of no electricity, and continue to deliver 9.1 billion kilowatt-hours of clean green electricity to provinces and cities outside the region.
"The Tibet Autonomous Region as a whole has achieved carbon neutrality and can make greater contributions to the country's dual carbon goals." Yao Tandong said that currently, the total carbon amount of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau ecosystem is 162 million tons per year, accounting for 8% to 8% of the national ecosystem carbon sink. 16%, and this proportion will increase in the future.
(Reporters from "Lookout" News Weekly Chu Guoqiang, Zhai Yongguan, Tian Jinwen participated in the interview and writing: Chen Shangcai and Wang Zehao)