Tibet, with the second largest wetland area in the country, has new opportunities for the precious resource. Currently, there are 14 sites (including test sites) for national wetland parks in Tibet, greatly boosting the protection system for wetlands and building an ecological safety net for the country.

According to the Forestry Department of Tibet Autonomous Region, wetlands in Naruo, Dolma Lancau of Lhorong County, Chokorgyel of Qonggyai County, and Qusum of Shannnan are at 6,186, 3,263, 1,302 and 4,653 hectares respectively. They are categorized into areas of protected zone, reasonable use zone, rehabilitation zone, education zone, and managed services zone.

Dolma Lancau is the origin of Nujiang River, its excellent water quality and diverse wetland ecology have turned it into a crucial stop on the route for migrant birds. The park region is also an important water source for Lhorong County residents, and serves as an important model for the sustainable development of Lhorong County and Nujiang River.

“With these four wetland park test sites approved, we can increase our investment in protection and construction, and optimize the wetland protection system for the snowy plateaus. It will be vital for protecting diverse species of animals and ecological rehabilitation.” Said Zhang Hucheng, vice section chief of the Wildlife Protection Section at the Forestry Department of Tibet Autonomous Region.

In order to expand environmental protection efforts, Tibet will invest 48 million yuan in the next three years to start test sites for wetland ecological benefit compensation mechanisms. They will be located in Xainza County in Nagchu, Dinggye County in Shigatse, and Nagarze County in Lhoka, so as to gradually boost the health of the ecological system in these wetland areas.

The wetlands in Tibet are concentrated in Nagqu and Ngari in the northwest, with the biggest in Nagqu, at 2.993 million hectares. In the past few years, Tibet has continued to promote the construction of a wetland protection mechanism. The existing nature preservation zones are the starting point for a wetland protection system with national wetland parks, international-level wetlands, and national-level wetlands.