International Campaign for Tibet

Prevent Train Loads Of Trouble For Fragile Tibet

Tibet is one of the latest fashionable destination for tourists. But we must be careful lest these tourists become the destroyers of the "roof of the world."

With the imminent opening of the Qinghai-Tibet railway which will start operating in July, many people are expressing concerns about the environmental protection of the area.

Before, Tibet was hardly a hot destination for tourists because of the high cost of getting there and the altitude sickness once there. By taking the train, both of these issues will be reduced considerably.

It is estimated Tibet will receive an additional 3,000 tourists every day after the train starts running. According to media reports, the tickets for the first five trains heading for Tibet sold out almost immediately.

Tibet, a place with a fragile environment and eco-system, will be put under an unprecedented amount of pressure as all these new visitors start arriving.

After the enormous cost of the railway construction developing tourism may serve as a rapid way of recouping the colossal investment. But this should not be at a cost to the environment.

The Tibet tourism authorities must focus on calculating just how many tourists Tibet can realistically host.