Xizang's ecological environment maintains high quality in 2025, official report shows

The ecological environment of southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region remained in good condition throughout 2025, with nearly all days recording good or excellent air quality, according to an official report released on Tuesday.

The "2025 Xizang Autonomous Region Ecological Environment Status Bulletin," published by the regional department of ecology and environment, revealed that the proportion of days with good or excellent air quality reached 99.8% last year. All seven prefecture-level cities in Xizang met the national Grade II standards for air quality.

Water quality across the region also remained robust. The report showed that 100% of major rivers and lakes reached or exceeded Class III water quality standards, while drinking water source areas maintained a 100% compliance rate. 

Major rivers including the Jinsha, Lancang (Mekong), Yarlung Zangbo (Brahmaputra), and Nujiang (Salween) recorded Class II water quality, which is considered good. 

Rivers flowing through key towns, such as the Lhasa River, Nyang River and Nianchu River, met or surpassed Class III standards.

Xizang also continued its comprehensive ecological monitoring efforts. Along major watersheds including the Yarlung Zangbo and the Yangtze River (Xizang section), assessments covered benthic algae, phytoplankton, zooplankton, macroinvertebrates, and fish populations. 

The results indicate that the region's aquatic ecosystems remain in a pristine and stable condition. Groundwater quality was also rated as good and stable across the board.

Speaking to reporters, Xu Fucheng, deputy director of the regional department of ecology and environment, outlined ongoing efforts to safeguard the environment. 

"We are vigorously implementing action plans to continuously improve air quality, conducting routine source analysis of ground-level ozone exceedances," Xu said. 

He added that the region has advanced the standardized management of sewage outlets into rivers, achieving a 100% compliance rate for water quality entering major waterways.

Furthermore, traceability analysis for heavy metal pollution in farmland soils has been carried out across 21 counties, with rural sewage treatment and control coverage reaching 58.2%.

As a crucial national ecological security barrier, Xizang currently boasts over 15 million hectares of forest, 80 million hectares of grassland, and 8.17 million hectares of wetlands – the largest wetland area in China. 

The region is home to 169 species of nationally protected wild plants, 1,072 species of terrestrial wild vertebrates, and 246 species of nationally protected wild animals, underscoring its rich biodiversity and ecological significance.

(Cover via VCG)