China will take steps to protect the ecological environment in some key riverheads in the Tibet Autonomous Region.

China's State Forestry Administration says loss of vegetation and the effects of global warming on glacial areas are damaging sensitive areas.

Local government in Tibet is monitoring dozens of riverheads but the main focus is the vegetation, lakes, and glaciers around Mount Everest.

The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is home to several of China's major river heads, such as the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers.

(CRI November 25, 2004)