CHINA ATTACKS WATER SHORTAGES

CHINA ATTACKS WATER SHORTAGES

We have our Lake Mead and China has its Lake Qinghai.  Located in the northwest corner of China on the Tibetan Plateau, it is the source of several major Asian rivers. 

Lake Qinghai embraces 30,00 square kilometers and is the jewel of China.  It constitutes 25 % of the land area of China.  It was home for over ¼ million prisoners in several labor camps during the days of Mao.

The lake levels have been shrinking for the last 100 years, and the wetlands and water levels of the lakes are lowering to dangerous levels.  Evaporation and decreased rain precipitation are thought to be the major causes not crop irrigation or grazing of livestock.  More recently a wave of mineral prospectors and medicinal plant hunters gouged the area.

The grasslands support grazing for 3 million sheep but 6 million sheep graze there now.  An attempt is being made to stop the grazing and relocate the small villages.

  When sheep are completely removed, the dried grass left over from the previous year stunts new growth leaving the grass yellow even at growing season.  

The plateau was developed with grazing always present.  The grasslands are now being fenced resulting in the endangered gazelle population reduced to only 600.  The gazelle can’t hop the fences and escape from the roving wolves.  The wolves are now starving because of degradation of the small mammals and rodent pikas.  Without the rodent pikas,  the brown bears and predatory bird populations are also diminishing.

A scientific project was dropped recently which would have sought the fundamental changes taking place in the Tibetan plateau, called the ‘water tower of Asia”.   

A ten-year plan to protect the lake has begun.  The project is to stop the grazing, control the rodents, and insect pests that damage the meadows, protect the wetlands, curb desertification, plant trees and shrubs, protect biodiversity and construct small towns for nomadic herders and their livestock.

Scientific research is needed to recommend the fundamental changes needed, guide the project and help conservation of China’s crown jewel.  It seems the government has the answers without scientific feedback.

                           Source; Science, August 1, 2008

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