The high altitude and magnificence of the Tibetan Plateau has earned it the name “the last heaven on earth.” Many people dream of it because of its mystery and beauty. Many people do not realize that the plateau is also the source of most of the giant rivers in Asia. It provides water, the source of life, for billions of people living in South and Southeast Asia.
Snowy Mountains, big rivers, lakes, marshes…the unique landscape and environment breed various kinds of wildlife. Many of these species are endemic to the plateau and cannot be found anywhere else on earth. Some of them are also in danger of extinction. The Tibetan antelope, wild yak, Tibetan wild donkey, Tibetan brown bear, desert cat, and Tibetan fox all run on the grassland among the mountains. Rock sheep and snow leopards are the plateau’s rock jumpers. Black-necked cranes and golden eagles fly in the sky, and snow lotus and dragon’s gall are the tough plants that survive on the harsh plains. Tibet currently has some strong, healthy ecosystems, and it is a hot spot for biodiversity conservation.
This beautiful snowy region is also very vulnerable. The extreme environment means that local species can be very sensitive to slight disturbances or changes. The wildlife on the plains are the spirit of Tibet. Global warming and overexploitation has already begun to affect the region. We must take action, or the beauty of the plateau will disappear along with the local people who will be forced to move. People living downstream will also suffer as these changes affect their source of water.
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