The nature reserves in the Tibet Autonomous Region covers 38.19 million hectares, making up one third of the total area in Tibet.

The region set up four national and regional nature reserves last year, bringing the total to 17.

Tibet, which occupies one eighth of China's total area, has 6,400 kinds of plants including 40 kinds of rare species. It has over 1,000 sorts of herbal medicine, about one third of the national total.

Some 125 animals in Tibet have been listed as rare species under top government protection. They include Tibetan antelope, yak, snow chicken and black-neck crane.

The Yarlung Zangbo Great Canyon and Qomolangma are the typical ones in Tibet. The Lalu wetland reserve is the largest natural urban wetland in China. The region has applied to build another six nature reserves to bring the total area to 400,000 sq. km. and build a forest park in Nyingchi Prefecture.

(People’s Daily 04/28/2001)