"It was very dusty and windy here a decade ago," said 61-year-old Tseten, sweat on his forehead. "Neither people nor animals came out here."

 

There are fewer bad days now, perhaps thanks to the trees, he said.

 

"You can see foxes and rabbits here now," he added.

 

In Tibet, more trees are being planted, wild animals are better protected and polluting industries have been closed down. The environment is top of the agenda at the ongoing Forum on the Development of Tibet 2016.

 

In Tseten's hometown, Xigaze, once where sandstorms frequently struck, herdsmen have planted about 1,200 hectares of forest in the past two years, with about 550 ha more to be completed this year, according to Tsering Dondrup of the local forestry bureau.

 

Environmental campaigns near Tibet's six major rivers have seen pastures returned to forests and desertification stopped in its tracks .

 

In the Shannan section of the Yarlung Tsangpo River, for instance, forests are increasing at an annual speed of 5.25 cubic meters per ha.

 

According to a 2014 national survey, Tibet ranked first in terms of forest area and forest stock.

 

Wildlife protection is also much improved. At Changtang National Nature Reserve in northern Tibet, hundreds of thousands of Tibetan antelope wander.

 

"Tibetan antelopes are usually very shy. They run away at the sight of human beings," said Tsewang Norbu, a ranger at the reserve. "But instead of running away, they now stop and stare at me each time I approach them on my motorcycle."