Tibet spends millions rewarding forestry protection

The Tibetan authorities handed out 2.9 billion yuan (466 million U.S. dollars) last year as rewards for environmental protection, the regional assembly was told on Wednesday.

The funds went to those who stopped or reduced herding in areas prone to deforestation and on subsidies for grass seed and farming equipment, said Cai Bin, a director of the Tibet agriculture and animal husbandry department.

The scheme has greatly improved the quality of grasslands in Tibet. The fresh grass reserve has increased by 20 percent from 2007, according to the department.

At first, local people were not very enthusiastic about protecting the environment, but now, with rewards, farmers and herdsmen welcome the efforts, said Lei Guilong, chief of Tibet's forests.

"In the past, we cut trees to build houses and make money. We have stopped cutting trees now. Without trees, tourism would not thrive. The government gives us compensation, so we no longer destroy the forests," said Yanggim of Nanyi Town in Mainling County, Nyingchi Prefecture.