Oct. 23, 2017 -- As the main part of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Tibet is rich in water resources and is praised as the “water tower of Asia”. The number of rivers with a drainage area of over 50 square kilometers is 6,418 and the number of lakes with a surface area of more than 1 square kilometer stands at 816 in Tibet.

Tibet’s total water volume and average per capita water resources rank the first in China with an exploitation and utilization ratio of only 1 percent.

To protect water resources and make it a green name card of Tibet’s sustainable development, Tibet sticks to green development and puts ecological protection as a top priority.

Tibet has established the strictest assessment system to monitor water quality.

Tibet will put in place the “river chief system” by the end of 2017 to make sure officials will be held accountable for failing to protect rivers and lakes. By the end of 2020, 95 percent of major lakes and rivers in Tibet will reach the water quality standard. By the end of 2030, a comprehensive and complete protection system of rivers and lakes will be established.

By increase public participation and strengthen publicity, a good social atmosphere for water resources protection has been created and the public awareness has been enhanced in Tibet.

By Shi Dongdong