Photo shows the Yani Wetland. (Photo/Luan Yuanchun)

Wetlands, with multiple ecological functions and abundant natural resources, have long been known as the "kidneys of the Earth," species reservoirs, and climate regulators. Lhalu Wetland, a typical Qinghai-Tibet Plateau wetland, is hailed as Lhasa's "big oxygen bar" and is known as the "lungs of Lhasa" and a "natural oxygen bar." Wetland protection, represented by Lhalu Wetland, plays an irreplaceable role in Xizang's ecological environmental protection, biodiversity conservation, and economic and social development.

Up to now, Xizang Autonomous Region has established 15 wetland-type nature reserves and 22 national wetland parks. Four wetlands, namely Mapham Yutso, Mitika, Serling Tso, and Zhari Namco, are listed as internationally important wetlands. Three wetlands, Lhalu, Lato, and Pangkong Tso, are listed as nationally important wetlands. 22 wetlands have been designated as important at the autonomous region level. A wetland protection system, with nature reserves as the main body and incorporating national wetland parks, internationally important wetlands, nationally important wetlands, and important wetlands at the autonomous region level, has gradually taken shape.

Photo shows citizens walking in the Lhalu Wetland. (Photo/Tenzin Lhamze)

Legal protection for green mountains and clear waters – Building a strong safety barrier

The Law of the People's Republic of China on Ecological Conservation on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau clearly states that the state will strengthen the protection and restoration of wetlands on the plateau, enhance the ecological functions such as water conservation, climate regulation, and biodiversity conservation, and improve the carbon sequestration capacity. To protect the wetland ecosystem, Xizang has actively implemented national policies and successively promulgated regulations, rules, and normative documents to provide legal safeguards for the protection and management of wetland resources.

So far, detailed management measures have been introduced for seven wetland-type nature reserves, including Mapham Yutso, Mitika, Serling Tso, as well as for four national wetland parks, namely the Ziqu River, Yani, Kanam, and Zhula River. Xizang has also specifically established wetland rangers responsible for patrolling and protecting wetlands. A series of technical trainings on wetland ecological benefit compensation, wetland protection and restoration projects, and other topics have been conducted for farmers and herdsmen who serve as wetland rangers. Through technical training and skill acquisition, the capabilities of the rangers have been significantly enhanced. According to the results of the second national wetland resource survey, Xizang has 6.529 million hectares of wetlands with each covering an area of over 8 hectares, accounting for 5.3% of the total land area of the region.

Photo shows the Serling Tso Lake. (Photo/Tsering Phuntsog)

Promoting natural science education –Sharing ecological benefits

Xizang has carried out diverse forms of wetland nature education by relying on national wetland parks and wetland nature reserves at various levels.

On International Biodiversity Day, the staff of the Lhalu Wetland National Nature Reserve Administration Bureau provided vivid and diverse science education classes on nature to students and citizens in Lhasa, allowing participants, especially primary and middle school students, to deeply experience the charm of wetlands.

Forestry and grassland bureaus in various cities and prefectures organize diverse thematic activities, set up promotion points to distribute wetland protection materials, and explain ecological protection laws and regulations to the masses. The Forestry and Grassland Bureau of Xizang Autonomous Region has led various special rectification actions for wildlife protection in wetland nature reserves multiple times, strengthened law enforcement on wetland resources, and continuously improved the protection awareness and legal awareness of farmers and herdsmen, working together to protect and unleash the ecological value of wetlands.

Photo shows the Pangkong Tso Lake. (Photo/Dai Ling)

People benefit from ecological protection – Achieving a win-win situation of ecology and prosperity

In recent years, Xizang has implemented the Yani National Wetland Park Protection and Restoration Project, carried out infrastructure construction such as wetland park management stations, ecological monitoring systems, and landscape boardwalks, and completed vegetation restoration on 1,839 mu (about 123 hectares) of Yani Wetland, significantly improving the ecological environment and effectively protecting biodiversity.

In recent years, Xizang has hired rangers to carry out grazing prohibitions and resting periods in important wetlands through the implementation of wetland protection compensation projects, which have not only strengthened the management and protection of natural wetlands such as swamps, lakes, and rivers, but also increased the income of farmers and herdsmen. More and more individuals have increased their income through ecological protection, and embarked on the path to prosperity. With abundant wetland resources, unique wetland landscapes, and well-protected wetland ecosystems and biodiversity, Xizang has realized the vision of both urban and rural people sharing excellent wetland ecological spaces.

Photo shows the Ngare Wetland. (Photo/Druzha)

Reporter: Li Meiying, Dong Jiajia

Translator: Zhi Xinghua

Review: Hu Rongguo, Li Chengye