Statistics show that between 1998 and 2000, Tibet invested more than 10 million yuan (US$1.2 million) in planting 53,000 hectares (130,963 acres) of trees and 67,000 hectares (165,557 acres) of grass, in a bid to end erosion in an area of 1,070 square kilometers (2,643.97 acres).

Since 1999, the region has launched projects to tackle soil erosion in small river valleys and has achieved encouraging results.

According to a plan, the region will deal with eight more small river valleys by 2005, with a total investment of 78 million yuan (US$9.39 million), covering a total of 250 square kilometers (61,775 acres) threatened by soil loss.

Meanwhile, the region has also strengthened monitoring of soil erosion. Tibet invested more than 60 million yuan in building a water conservancy monitoring network in 2001. Construction of the project was progressing smoothly, local sources said.

Located on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, known as the "Roof of the World," Tibet boasts surface water resources of 448.2 billion cubic meters, with a per capita amount of 184,600 cubic meters.

(Xinhua News Agency May 10, 2002)