Warming is growing obvious on the Tibetan Plateau, resulting in glacier retreat and retreat of the permafrost regions. Meanwhile, biological species are confronting distinction due to the eco-environmental deterioration. Experts reached such an understanding on the 315th Fragrant Hill Conference held in Beijing Xiangshan Hotel during Dec. 2nd to the 6th, 2007.

Themed ‘environmental variation on the Tibetan Plateau, its influence and regional development,’ the conference was executed by professors Sun Honglie, Ding Yihui, Duoji and Zhengdu. Professors Yao Tandong and Gu Shuzhong were invited to respectively report on ‘recent environmental change on the Tibetan Plateau’ and ‘regional development strategies of the Tibetan Plateau’.

Participants agreed that environment on the Tibetan Plateau are changing catastrophically, ergently calling on measures to assess the variation trends of the environment on the Plateau, and to come up with feasible adaptations. Some experts also pointed out the importance of implementing scientific strategies throughout the development of the Plateau region. Accordingly, ecologic principles were needed to categorize ecological functioning areas on the Plateau, and to recognize key areas where ecological security can be ensured. By doing so, hopefully, natural resources can be utilized in a proper manner, various industries can be laid out rationally, and harmony between social development and eco-environmental protection can be realized.