Phurbu Tsering(1962-)Wetland Protector

by+Nancy+Gong

Spanning 12.2 square kilometers in area， Lalu Wetland in Lhasa， Tibet， is the largest， highest urban natural wetland in the world. It has been hailed the “lung of Lhasa” because of its annual release of 60，000 tons of oxygen. Not only that， it is winter home for migrant birds in need of an oxygen fill-up.

Since 1995， the government of the Tibet Autonomous Region has launched projects to protect Lalu Wetland. In May 1999， it approved the wetland as a nature reserve and founded an administration station. In July 2005， the State Council upgraded the nature reserve to the national level.

In 2008， the administration station was upgraded to an administrative bureau， with Phurbu Tsering as its head.

Water resources are the focus of protecting the wetland. “First， we must maintain its saturation，” illustrates Phurbu. “To divert the Lhasa River， we built a ditch stretching more than 20 kilometers. The meadow and vegetation cannot be maintained without enough water， the most basic foundation to balance the eco system of the wetland. Second， we must maintain the water quality， the biggest issue here because it is part of the urban water system， so severe pollution is unavoidable.”

The administration bureau built 12 trash strainers upstream that catch two to three tons of garbage a day. “Its a lot of work to clear and remove it，” remarks Phurbu. “Every three months， we have to cut off the stream completely for 10 days for a specific， complete cleaning.”

Driven by Phurbus efforts， in 2010， the local government elevated the wetlands protection to management by law by promulgating rules and regulations.

Moreover， Phurbu has tried every method， including distributing leaflets， photos and information bulletins as well as organizing residents to collect garbage， strengthening awareness and changing habits.

His unremitting efforts have greatly improved the water quality of the wetland. Today， thriving vegetation includes over 100 species， and the purified water running through the wetland and entering the Lhasa River has reached Grade 2 level.

The balanced eco system in the wetland provides favorable conditions for life for every wild animal inhabiting the plateau. Recent statistics show that Lalu Wetland is home to 142 species of wild animals and 62 rare species of birds， some of which are under key state protection， like black-necked cranes and grey cranes.

“Egrets have very high demands for their living surroundings，”stresses Phurbu. “They didnt arrive until 2011. Today， the wetland has drawn increasing number of animals， evidencing its improved eco system.”

The guardians of the wetland have never stopped working. In 2013， the administration bureau mapped out a general plan for the protection of the wetland， outlining campaigns from 2013 to 2025， with a total investment of 700 million yuan. The wetland area will be expanded by over 30，000 square meters， which will further improve the eco system of Tibet.