Reported By Palden
Edited By Pema Tso
Translated By TenGyal
Under the pretext of constructing an affluent middle-class society based on solar energy, the Chinese government is establishing numerous solar power stations in Tibetan areas, destroying forests and grasslands. Additionally, they are forcibly imposing quotas on livestock in nomadic regions.
In recent years, the Chinese government’s extensive construction of solar panels across many Tibetan regions has raised significant concerns among Tibetan farmers, nomads, and environmental advocates. These communities have appealed for an end to the destruction of the fragile grasslands. Expanses of mountains, valleys, and meadows are now covered with solar panels, hindering plant and grass growth and disrupting the natural sustenance of livestock and wildlife. Additionally, the gradual encroachment on traditional grazing lands by local authorities has intensified Tibetan protests. They argue that temporary land compensation cannot justify the long-term pollution of the natural environment and the degradation of vital grazing areas.
Of late, the Chinese government has actively promoted propaganda on its online media platforms, claiming that the 1,000,000-watt solar project in Khokla Town, Nyakchu County, is the largest of its kind globally. According to official statements, the facility reportedly generates nearly 20 billion watts of electricity annually on average. Chinese authorities also claim that the solar project contributes to the ecological regeneration and welfare of the region’s mountains, valleys, and grasslands.
In November 2024, The Xizang Development & Investment Group Co., Ltd, in collaboration with China Power Engineering Consultant Group Zhongnan Electric Power Design Institute, announced the completion of a new solar power station in Ruthog County, Ngari. Spanning 566 square meters and perched at an elevation of 4,400 meters above sea level, this facility is located southwest of Lhasa.
A reliable Tibetan source said that in recent years, local authorities in Ruthog County, in collaboration with the Ruthog Border Security Force Unit 2, have mandated celebrations of “China’s National Day” and “Border Security Force Day”. With the Chinese government designating the area as a “border town,” several infrastructure projects have been launched to bolster development, including the construction of a new solar power project site.
Last year, Mingyur Dorjee, an entrepreneur and owner of the Lhayak brand in Tibet, highlighted the importance of protecting Tibetan nomads and grasslands in a sixteen-minute video. In the video, he said “Nowadays, solar power is being newly installed in the nomadic areas of Tibet. The Chinese government recognizes solar power as an important business in the new energy sector. Many rural and nomadic areas in Tibet are being newly developed with solar power in the form of business ventures. Currently, many solar power stations are being newly constructed in most areas of Tibet, especially on nomadic grasslands. The rural and nomadic people of Tibet, especially the nomads, have depended solely on the grasslands from generation to generation. Many aspects of nomadic culture and way of life have been shaped by the grasslands. If nomads are separated from the grasslands, it takes them away from Tibetan customs and ways of life.”
He also stated “ From the perspective of the natural ecology, if many solar power plants are constructed on mountains and mountain areas, at some point the harmonious balance between the environment and its inhabitants will be disrupted. This would mean birds and wild animals would not have habitat grounds, and no horses, cattle, or sheep would have a place to graze. As a result, the ecological capacity of the natural environment and its inhabitants would deteriorate. Additionally, if numerous solar power stations continue to be constructed on the grasslands of Tibetan nomadic regions, this would also cause severe damage to the natural environment with tragic consequences.”
In 2011, reports revealed the completion of a massive 430-kilowatt solar power project in Thubten Yangpachen township, located in Damshung County, southwest of Lhasa. That same year, the Chinese government inaugurated at least nine new solar power stations in Tibetan regions, representing 9% of the total new solar power capacity established across China during that period.
Currently, China is considered the world’s leading producer of solar power. Since around 1980, the first solar panel installations started in Tibet. As of now, solar panels have been or are being installed in many locations across Tibet, including Ngari, Nyemo, Shigatse, Nyingchi, Nedhong, Maldro Gungkar, Nagchu, Markham, Nyakchu, Karze, Kyungchu and others.
Furthermore, according to information gathered by our reporter, the Chinese government has, in the past few years, been forcing nomads in Golog, Ngaba, and Khyungchu in Tibet to brand their livestock. The nomadic communities were also issued strict orders to reduce their livestock.
A Tibetan source detailing these events explains that from the beginning of 2023, Chinese authorities assigned two officials to each of the large Tibetan nomadic communities in Ngaba and Golog. These officials were tasked with forcibly tagging the ears of all yaks in these regions, taking approximately ten photographs of each animal from different angles. Initially, when any of these ear-tagged yaks died of natural causes or were killed by wolves, authorities would collect the carcasses and remains, promising compensation to the nomads. However, over time, they reneged on this promise and imposed a hefty financial burden on each nomadic household, demanding 50,000 yuan as a “national tax.” In addition, many households have been, and continue to be, forcibly compelled to limit their herds to no more than seven yaks per family member.
The same source stated that from 2022, under the pretext of improving the lives of Tibetan nomads in Ngaba Prefecture and reducing environmental pollution caused by livestock dung, there has been intensive propaganda promoting the need to establish cooperative livestock farms in nomadic areas.
The Chinese government is forcefully seizing the most prized and most accessible lands of the Tibetan farmers and nomads to construct dams, solar power stations and the so-called National Parks, all under the pretext of the creation of an affluent middle-class society and a new business environment. As per the Grassland Law of the People’s Republic of China, which states that “the grasslands are owned by the State, and the right to operate the grasslands lies with the public….”, the Chinese government is turning the grasslands of the vast rural and nomadic population into centres for business development and commercial activities, per the needs of the government.
