How Xizang is recasting its bare landscape into green mountains

For years, the hills surrounding Lhasa were largely barren and not even a single blade of grass could take root. Today, those same mountains are turning green. 

As part of a decade-long ecological restoration project in Xizang, workers are scaling elevations of more than four thousand meters to plant millions of trees. Battling thin air, rugged terrain, and harsh weather, they are transforming once-desolate mountainsides into thriving forests.

When the project was launched in 2017, Xizang's forest coverage stood at just 12.14%. The People's Government of the Xizang Autonomous Region said the original target was to raise it to 12.31%, but the region ultimately surpassed expectations, reaching 12.54% by 2025.

Project Manager Ma Dawu recalls when their work first began in 2018: the land was covered with stones and difficult to cultivate. But through persistence and innovation, teams like Ma have created new green spaces across the city. 

The greening of Lhasa is more than an environmental project. It is a testament to human determination and a commitment to leaving a healthier, more beautiful landscape for future generations.