The Lhalu Wetland is located in the northern suburb of Lhasa. Covering an area of 12.2 square kilometres, it is the world’s highest and largest natural urban wetland. The wetland plays a very important role in improving the city’s ecological environment, hence known as the "Lungs of Lhasa".

In recent years, ongoing development and construction in Lhasa city has provided a challenge to the preservation of the wetland. But thanks to scientific planning and effective management, the unique wetland ecosystem and biodiversity remain intact.


The "Lungs of Lhasa" release 60,000 tons of oxygen into the air per year
"Lhalu" means "a large area of reeds" in Tibetan. The Lhalu Wetland, rich in crystal clear water is an important habitat for migratory birds in winter. Bird species are abundant in the wetland throughout the year, but particularly in winter when red and yellow ducks, brown-headed gulls, bar-headed geese, larks, skylarks, and other wild birds come to join the local birds for the season. A small number of black-necked cranes under state protection can also be found in the wetland.

"Through photosynthesis, the Lhalu Wetland absorbs 78,800 tons of carbon dioxide a year and releases 60,000 tons of oxygen," said Phurbu Tsering, director of the Lhalu Wetland National Nature Reserve Administration.

The wetland deserves its fame the "Lungs of Lhasa", as it plays a significant role in increasing air humidity, improving urban air quality, supplementing oxygen, and conserving the water source within the Lhasa city.


Wetland area increased by 0.6 square kilometres
Within the 6.6-square-kilometre central area of the Lhalu Wetland 29 households live in is the Lhalu community and the small Lhalu Happiness Village. Some garbage from their daily life can be found in the wetland.

"Through consultations, these residents have agreed to be relocated. After the relocation, the wetland will be restored and expanded," said Phurbu Tsering.

Last year, the wetland area was increased by 0.6 square kilometres, he added.

Protection of the unique ecosystem of the Lhalu Wetland has been effectively enacted from as early as May 1999 when the local government of Tibet Autonomous Region formally approved the establishment of the Lhalu Wetland Nature Reserve and the wetland management station.

In July 2005 the State Council approved the Lhalu Wetland as a national-level nature reserve to ensure further protection of the area.

It is understood that since China’s Ninth Five-year Plan Period (1996-2000) in Lhasa, the restoration and protection of the Lhalu Wetland have been the priority of Lhasa city’s environmental protection and construction work.

The regional government of Tibet and the municipal government of Lhasa have conducted unified management of the wetland, in addition to introducing a series of laws and regulations such as the "Lhalu Wetland Nature Reserve Management Methods" and the "Lhalu Wetland Nature Reserve Management Regulations". Both the laws and regulations have provided a legal foundation for the protection and management of the protected area.

In recent years, the central government and the local government of the Tibet Autonomous Region have invested a total of 193 million yuan (31 million US dollars) in protecting the wetland.