Lhasa mountains to be upgraded with latest round of afforestation

The latest round of an afforestation project will see the planting of various trees on more than 137,000 hectares of land on mountains near Lhasa, capital of the Tibet autonomous region, by 2030, according to the city's bureau of forestry and grassland.

Once the afforestation project is completed in 2030, the area is expected to generate an annual ecological value of more than 1.4 billion yuan ($191 million). This amount will be achieved thanks to the area producing a water storage capacity of about 49.8 million metric tons, a carbon sequestration capacity of about 229,100 metric tons, an oxygen release capacity of 193,000 metric tons, and a fertilizer retention capacity of 27,100 metric tons.

Launched in 2021, the afforestation project in the northern and southern mountains of Lhasa covers nine counties and districts and 35 townships around Lhasa.

Li Baoping, an offical of the bureau, said the project aims to turn the capital city and its surrounding areas into a greener, more ecological and livable place for its residents.