Tibet's Chamdo Prefecture worked vigorously to promote ecological construction in 2011. [Photo/ Nipic]

The forestry sector of eastern Tibet's Chamdo Prefecture worked vigorously to promote ecological construction in 2011, which lays a solid foundation for building a ecological safety barrier and protect local wildlife and ecological diversity in the upper reaches of the "three rivers" (Yangtze River, Yellow River, and Lancang River).

In 2011, Chamdo made great effort to carry out key forestry projects, such as protection of natural forests, returning farmlands to forest, the construction of ecological safety barrier protection forest system, construction of nature reserves, forest ecological benefit compensation fund, and afforestation of the surrounding of urban areas and in key areas. The ecological environment of the whole region was effectively improved.

It continued the year-round management and protection of 1.2 million hectares of natural forest included in the natural forest protection project, and completed 3 333.33 hectares of Forest Construction (Closing hillsides to facilitate afforestation), with cumulative allocation of funds reaching 20.26 million yuan (about 3.26 million dollars). In the construction of ecological safety barrier protection forest system, it continued highlighting the recovery of vegetation of key areas such as the "Three Rivers", the State Highway 214,317, and 318. In the protection, ecological functions such as water conservation and soil conservation have been paid great attention. About 3266.67 hectares of shelterbelt had been planted and the allocation reaching 24.61 million yuan.

In the field of the construction of nature reserves, Chamdo had completed the second-stage Project of state level nature reserves for Markam Yunnan golden monkeys and Riwoqe red deer, the bidding work of Ra'og Co wetland nature reserve in Baxoi County, the regulation of the function zones in the Mangkang Yunnan golden monkey nature reserves. It had explored various kinds of management and protection modes. Last year, 16, 863 persons (households) were employed to protect forests, and 129 million yuan was allocated. With forest management and protection being standardized, the goal of no forest fires in a year had been achieved.

At the same time, Chamdo has vigorously implemented the constraction of shelter forest system, afforestation in key areas, walnut base construction and other projects. It has completed 3733.33 hectares of afforestation in key areas.