A Breath of Fresh Green in the Highlands
For years, the rolling hills surrounding Lhasa were characterized by their stark, barren beauty, where the harsh climate meant not even a single blade of grass could easily take root. Today, however, a dramatic transformation is underway as those same mountainsides are turning a vibrant green.
This shift is the result of a dedicated, decade-long ecological restoration project in Xizang. In an extraordinary feat of human endurance, workers have been scaling elevations exceeding four thousand meters to plant millions of trees. These teams battle thinning air, rugged terrain, and unpredictable weather to reclaim once-desolate slopes and convert them into thriving forests.
Surpassing Environmental Goals
The progress is reflected in the numbers. When the initiative was launched in 2017, Xizang's forest coverage stood at 12.14%. While the People's Government of the Xizang Autonomous Region initially set a target to raise this to 12.31%, the region's efforts proved more successful than anticipated. By 2025, forest coverage had reached 12.54%, surpassing the original expectations.
The journey has not been without its challenges. Project Manager Ma Dawu, who began his work in 2018, recalls a landscape dominated by stones and soil that was incredibly difficult to cultivate. Yet, through a combination of persistence and innovative planting techniques, Ma and his teams have successfully established new green spaces across the city and its surroundings.
The greening of Lhasa represents more than just an environmental victory; it is a testament to human determination. By investing in the land, the region is ensuring a healthier, more sustainable, and more beautiful landscape for future generations to inherit.
Reference(s):
How Xizang is recasting its bare landscape into green mountains
cgtn.com
