Tibet - Overview
The Tibetan Plateau is the highest and largest plateau on earth. It shelters a wide array of unique species, including the Tibetan antelope, Tibetan gazelle, wild yak, blue sheep, snow leopard, brown bear, Bengal tiger, and black-necked crane. The Tibetan Plateau is also the source of almost all of Asia's major rivers: the Yellow River, the Yangtze, the Mekong, the Salween, the Indus, and the Yarlung Tsangpo, which donwnstream becomes the Brahmaputra.
Because of its high elevation (ave. elev. 4000m), the ecosystem here is extremely fragile. Once damaged, it is extremely difficult to reverse. Tibet is developing quickly, and as a result so is grassland and forest degradation. Integrating the needs of local development with conserving Tibet's biodiversity is in need of urgent attention.
Basic facts
- In Tibet there are about 40 known species of endangered plants and 141 known species of endangered animals
- The last remaining population of the Bengal tiger in China can be found in Tibet's Metdog County
- Tibet's economy is growing at a rate of 11.9% GDP a year
- Several major development projects are underway in Tibet, such as the construction of an 1800km railway line from Qinghai province to Lhasa
- Population is rapidly increasing in Tibet, with numbers as much as tripling in some areas such as Chang Tang, adding greater pressure on its natural resources
Key threats
Development is the major factor influencing the quality of Tibet's ecosystem:
- Demands by Tibet's fast-growing human population, construction of roads, mining, and poor grazing practices are degrading Tibet's grasslands
- Commercial logging, slash and burn cultivation, collection of wood for firewood, construction, traditional agriculture practice, and making incense are destroying Tibet's old-growth forests
- Illegal hunting of wildlife
- Conflicts between wildlife conservation and livestock raising, which threatens species such as the brown bear and wild yak
Solutions
Ultimately, the establishment of sustainable development practices is the key. Underlying this are:
- Maintaining flora and fauna in their natural ecosystems to preserve biological diversity. This can be done by establishing well-managed nature reserves.
- The need for more research to provide a clearer picture of Tibet's ecosystem and the effects of development
- Strengthening environmental protection and reform policies, institutions and processes and raising public awareness
- Building local capacity to ensure conservation and its overall management
- Creating new alternatives for livelihoods in key areas (such as animal husbandry, ecotourism, and sustainable forest products)
WWF program targets
To conserve the biodiversity and biological processes of key ecosystems on the Tibetan Steppe. The protection and sustainable management of selected grassland ecosystems. WWF China will focus on:
- Capacity building for reserve staff and reserve management planning
- Establishing a biodiversity database
- Raising awareness of conservation issues
- Developing wildlife monitoring and patrolling stations to ensure anti-poaching and other conservation activities
- Resolving some of the key conflicts between local residents and wildlife through research and pilot projects
- Releasing pressures on natural resources by finding new alternatives for local people
Major achievements to date
- Saving the Tibetan Antelope
WWF has partnered with local NGOs and government agencies to mount a major campaign to protect the Tibetan Antelope. The combined efforts of public campaigning and practical conservation are beginning to yield results, with the population of Tibetan antelopes in the Chang Tang reserve beginning to recover.
- Building capacity of nature reserves
In July 2000, WWF signed a frame work for Cooperation with the Tibet Forestry Dept., focusing on building the capacity of resource managers and local people to conserve wildlife and manage grasslands sustainability.
WWF staff
Dawa Tsering, WWF's Tibet Program Coordinator, was born in Shigatse, Tibet in 1965. He earned his M. A. at Case Western Reserve University, in Cleveland, Ohio. He then worked for 10 years as a researcher at the Tibet Academy of Social Sciences in Lhasa. He has worked with and gained development experience with various international NGOs including the Trace Foundation, Lhasa Network, and the Future Generations.
Ms. Nima Chudron, WWF Tibet Program Office Manager, was born in 1972. She graduated as an English tour guide from the Vocational School in Yinkou, Liaoning Province. She then worked for the World Food Program in Lhasa as a translator. She now has nine years experience working for international NGOs, including working for Save the Children (UK) Tibet Program Office.
For project information, please see Ecoregions/Tibetan Plateau
|
