Tibet's Environment
Tibet is often portrayed as a dry desert plateau, but it actually consists of valley and drier regions in the south, plateau in the north, high mountains with river valleys in the southwest, and wet forest regions in the east. Tibet's diverse conditions have fostered a variety of natural habitats that are home to complex species of flora and fauna. There are thousands of plants species and hundreds of mammal and bird species in Tibet.
Kailash, the sacred mountain of Tibet
Photo courtesy of TMI
More than 15,000 lakes can be found on the Tibetan Plateau. Tibet is the main source of ten of Asia's major rivers: Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra), Satluj, Indus, Yangtze, Salween, Arun, Mekong, Karnali, Yellow River, and Drukchu, as well as numerous tributaries flowing into Asia. Something like 85% of Asia's population depend on these river systems.
The Tibetan belief system, together with Tibet's natural isolation, enabled Tibet to remain a sanctuary for plants and animals until China invaded Tibet in 1949. Since that time the Chinese have shown little sensitivity to Tibet's ecosystems. Many bird and mammal species are now endangered in Tibet. Sadly, the list includes the Tibetan wild yak, an animal that is virtually synonymous with Tibet.
All is not yet lost, however. As Tibet Environmental Watch has noted:
Tibet is the last sanctuary left in the world to some of the world's rare plant and animal species. This is primarily due to Tibet's long period of isolation and the protection provided by the sky-tapering majestic mountains for centuries. The natural protection is further strengthened by the Tibetan Buddhists belief of living in harmony with nature.
Many people and organizations are now concerned about Tibet's natural environment and the massive environmental damage brought about by the occupation. Additional information about Tibet and the environment is available from the organizations listed below.
Above: Satellite view of Tibet and the Himalayas, courtesy NASA
TEW updates important Tibetan environmental information as the data becomes available and works to build on the concept of a "Zone of Peace" presented by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The web site offers information about and reports on virtually every aspect of Tibet's environment.
The Mountain Institute (TMI)
TMI is an NGO that works to protect mountains in Asia, North America, and South America. Learn more about TMI's Tibet Plateau Development Project, which seeks to to strengthen Tibetan communities’ capacity for meeting their socio-economic needs, while conserving the environment and preserving their cultural heritage.
"A Buddhist response to global warming," publishes a quarterly review and is working on projects ranging from education to energy efficiency/autonomy at monasteries. See also their Ecological Buddhism blog.
