(by Lyu Qiuping) In January 2023, I completed my one-year stint in the Xinhua bureau of southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region and bid a reluctant farewell before returning to my post at the Beijing headquarters.

After more than a year away, I recently had the opportunity to return to the plateau with a group of journalists and witness the changes firsthand. This visit has given me a deeper understanding of the region's efforts in eco-environmental conservation.

Initially, I thought it would be difficult to observe significant changes in just one year and eight months. However, as soon as I stepped out of the airport at the regional capital Lhasa, I realized I was wrong.

The first thing that caught my eye was a new energy vehicle (NEV) adorned with a "Yak Travel" logo in both Tibetan and Mandarin, featuring the image of a running yak. I was told "Yak Travel" is a localized ride-hailing app launched in recent years, similar to Uber and Didi.

Known as the "sunlight city" of China, Lhasa enjoys abundant sunlight and water resources, which contribute to its wealth of clean energy. The increasing number of NEVs on the roads not only makes travel affordable but also contributes to protecting the plateau's eco-environment and reducing emissions.

This reminded me that shortly after my departure, in September last year, Xizang announced it had achieved carbon neutrality.

On the minibus from the airport to Lhasa, I was brimming with excitement on revisiting the familiar city situated at an altitude of more than 3,600 meters. The breathtaking view of green mountains, clear waters, blue sky and white clouds outside the window made me forget my dizziness from altitude sickness. As I relished the stunning scenery, I thought to myself how this beautiful plateau is truly "a gift of nature."

On a mountain in the southern outskirts, I saw workers wearing sun hats and orange vests operating sprinklers to water trees. The mountain is much greener than when I left, thanks to an afforestation project in Lhasa.

Since the launch of the afforestation project in the northern and southern mountains of Lhasa in 2021, 30,000 hectares of trees have been planted, with around 5,700 hectares added in 2024 alone so far, according to the latest figures.

Traveling along the newly opened Lhasa-Xigaze Highway, which began operating in late June this year, our journalist group arrived in Xigaze. We then visited Namling County, a key source of saplings and labor for the Lhasa afforestation project.

Located on the northern bank of the Yarlung Zangbo River, Namling is a wintering habitat for black-necked cranes, an endangered species under first-class protection in China.

To protect and improve the eco-environment, Xizang started an afforestation project in the county in 2014 and over 2,400 hectares of trees have been planted at a total cost of 240 million yuan (about 33.8 million U.S. dollars), with the survival rate of the trees exceeding 90 percent.

This is certainly not an easy task. The county head Penpa told me that locals have to choose larger saplings, dig deep holes and water more to ensure the trees can survive the cold plateau winter. Due to the low precipitation and high evaporation in the area, irrigation is one of the most important tasks for tree survival. "Watering such a large area of trees takes more than a month each time," Penpa said.

As I climbed a high scaffolding resembling an overpass and gazed into the distance, I was astonished by the sight of endless trees of various sizes standing side by side. Taking a deep breath of fresh air, I felt refreshed and delighted, marveling at the green miracle the locals have created over the past decade.

Su Jian, a forestry official who has worked in the county for 16 years, told me that Namling was plagued by dust storms when he first arrived and it was rare to see black-necked cranes. Now, flocks of the species can be spotted on both sides of the Yarlung Zangbo River every winter.

In Namling County, we also tried some steamed Ema Potatoes, a famous specialty grown in Ema Township known for its great taste and high starch content. The hunger and mild fatigue made every bite exceptionally satisfying, and it tasted absolutely delicious.

While being asked whether the county will introduce a potato chip processing factory to extend the industrial chain, Penpa immediately answered, "No."

He explained that potato chip processing would impact the fragile local ecological environment and affect the habitat of black-necked cranes, which is completely forbidden.

According to the second national survey on terrestrial animals and plants, the population of Tibetan antelopes has increased from over 70,000 in the 1990s to more than 300,000, wild yaks from fewer than 10,000 to over 20,000, and black-necked cranes from fewer than 3,000 to over 10,000.

The figures are brought to life by my own experience, as I saw these rare wild animal species in flocks during my travels through the region.

Interestingly, upon arriving in Gyirong, a bustling trade town on the China-Nepal border, I noticed a kind reminder posted on my hotel room wall: "Please lock your window when leaving, as monkeys may intrude." This was a clear sign of the sound eco-environment in the region.

I believe that by prioritizing ecological conservation -- one of Xizang's four main tasks -- the region can preserve its status as one of the world's most pristine environments and ensure that "the gift of nature" is passed on to future generations.