June 17,2021 -- It is commonly agreed that ecological preservation in southwestern China's Tibet Autonomous Region is just as important on a global scale as it is to the region itself. That concept is guiding local authorities and residents to develop tourism in an environmentally-friendly way. Dai Kaiyi has more. 

 

After tending to his farm and feeding his livestock every morning, 35-year-old Ba Deng transitions to his other business – operating homestays for tourists.

 

PALDEN Resident in Zhaxigang Village, Nyingchi, Tibet Autonomous Region "When my family started the business, we didn't even have any more separate rooms for the guests. Now we greet as many as 2000 tourists a year, taking in 200,000 yuan on an annual basis."

 

The rentals Ba Deng owns are currently undergoing renovations, as they're getting ready for an upcoming tourist peak season. Thanks to local authorities, the money spent on businesses like this can be borrowed from banks with very low interest rates.

 

Many residents are turning to eco-tourism, a tourism model that's helping local villagers earn a living by engaging in ecological progress and conservation.

 

PALDEN Resident in Zhaxigang Village, Nyingchi Tibet Autonomous Region "I hope my family and I can integrate traditional agriculture and animal husbandry we've been doing and the emerging tourism business. We produce green and natural Tibetan butter, which is something tourists might want to try for themselves."

 

Just a few kilometers away from the village where Ba Deng lives, the Lulang International Tourism Town is engaging in its own eco-friendly tourism development. The main scenic spots here include a natural forest park and alpine pastures.

 

HU XIONGYING Official, Lulang Management Committee, Nyingchi Tibet Autonomous Region "Forest coverage in this area is now over 80 percent, and we fully realize how important it is to protect the eco-system here if we want to sustain the local tourism industry for the long haul. It's worth mentioning residents here have made lots of efforts over the years to protect the environment as well."

 

DAI KAIYI Nyingchi, Tibet Autonomous Region "Located on what's called the roof of the world and the heart of the earth's 'third pole', Tibet is a key focus of China's drive for further ecological progress. Over the years, there's been a lot of work to protect the region's biological diversity and safeguard its key ecological reserves. The significance of those efforts goes far beyond China. Because an ecologically-healthy Tibet is just as vital globally as it is to people here. Dai Kaiyi, CGTN, Nyingchi City, Tibet Autonomous Region."