CRI听力：Quzha: Bringing the Lhalu Wetland Back to Life

Anchor: Blue skies, clean air and snow mountains are part of the charms that attract millions of tourists to Tibet. Tibetan people are aware that preserving the environment is crucial for local economy and their own life. Many people have devoted their life to environmental protection. In today's 'Inside Tibet' series, CRI reporter Chen Zhe brings you the story of Quzha, who has successfully rebuilt the Lhalu Wetland in Lhasa, capital of China's Tibet Autonomous Region.

Report:
Standing in the middle of the Lhalu Wetland with birds flying around, 49 year old Quzha feels very proud.

The 6.6 square-kilometer wetland is covered by reeds and other plants. Dozens of types of fish and animals also live their.

Quzha says it was mostly a dry place ten years ago.

"There were only stones and sand here. We could hardly see any grass. Nothing could grow here. And in windy weather, it was all dust."

Ten years ago, the government decided to recover the wetland. Quzha was named head of the protection station.

His team was just three people. Their first task was to persuade people to move out of the area. It turned out to be a hard, dangerous job.

It took them nearly five years to clear the area. He began to think about plans to turn the dry area back to a wetland, but it proved even more difficult for the former engineer and driver who had no background education in environment issues.

"At the beginning, we could only use our imagination and common sense. We never had professional training. We did something the first year and saw whether it worked the next year. If it worked, we would continue. That is how we recovered the wetland."

With years of effort, the wetland is back to life. The wetland can absorb more than five thousand tons of dust and one thousand tons of sewage. It also produces over 50 thousand tons of oxygen, which is precious for the 3500 meter high city. The wetland has become the Lung of Lhasa.

He is more pleased to see people's awareness of environmental protection rising. Last year, the local government planned to build a view point in the wetland, but was widely criticized by the public. The plan has now been halted.

Rao Chunyan, chief reporter of the Tibet Business Daily, first disclosed the plan. She says she was not surprised by the reaction from the public. (www.hXen.com)

"In Lhasa people's heart, the Lhalu wetland is the second most important place, only after the Potala Palace. What they have expressed is that they will not tolerate the wetland being damaged again."

Quzha says this is the biggest prize for his ten years of work. He says the wetland is like his child, and he will always be with it.

Chen Zhe, CRI News.