The projects to renovate the Potala Palace, Norbu Lingka and Sakya Monastery, launched in 2002, have employed over 30,000 persons-time labor of local farmers and herdsmen, offering them 28 million yuan in cash income, according to the Tibet Bureau of Cultural Relics.

"Preliminary statistics show that since 2002, 30,000 farmers and herdsmen have worked on the projects," Yu Dawa, director of the Regional Bureau of Cultural Relics.

Photo taken on May 30 shows the project to renovate the Norbu Lingka in its finishing period. The Norbu Lingka (which means beautiful garden in Tibetan), located in the western suburbs of Lhasa, is one of the major historical relics in Tibet. Chinese government has invested 67.4 million yuan on its renovation starting from 2002.

"To restore the relics to their original shape, we have employed the Tibetan as the main laborers. Most of them are skilled craftsman and artisans, including carpenters, stonecutters, painters and plasterers, Yu added.

By now, 156 sub-projects have been under way and 150 have been completed with a total investment of 280 million yuan. All the projects are expected to be completed by the end of this year.

(Xinhua News Agency March 2, 2009)