An environmental protection program at the cost of 92.9 million
yuan (US$11.2 million) has been launched on
Tibet
Plateau's Laru wetland, the world's highest and largest urban
natural wetland.
Under the program which was officially launched on Tuesday, a 17.15
kilometer-long transparent enclosure, reservoirs and water
diversion channels are expected to be built around and within the
wetland.
Located at Lhasa, the capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous
Region, Laru wetland will moderate and improve the city's climate
by absorbing 78,800 tons of carbon dioxide and adding 57,300 tons
of oxygen every year.
For years local residents neglected the wetland; and overgrazing
and over-draining have shrunk its area from 10 sq km to 6.2 sq
km.
Approved by the Tibet Autonomous Regional Government, the Laru
wetland reserve was set up in May 1999 for the better protection of
the wetland, at an elevation of 3,645 meters, the world's
highest.
Since then, 21 illegally-built houses within the wetland area have
been ordered to be demolished, 26.7 hectares of farmland returned
to natural wetland and two cement plants removed, and rock quarries
closed down.
Meanwhile, over 7,500 trees have been planted in and around the
wetland and diversion channels taking water from the wetland have
been blocked.
(Xinhua News
Agency July 26, 2002)