|
|
New railway will have permanent impact on Tibet
Mar 10, 2005 03: 20 EST
The construction of the railway between Qinghai Province (China) and Lhasa, the Capitol City of Tibet, is proceeding at a very fast pace. Chinese authorities say the railway line will begin trial operations in July of 2006.
Making history
Among the many compelling aspects of the 1,142 kilometers-long route is that it will be the highest in the world. “About 960 kilometers of the railway are above 4,000 meters above sea level, with its most elevated sections reaching 5,072 meters above sea level," said Liu Zhijun, Minister of Railways, to China Daily.
When it opens, the railway will link Lhasa to Qinghai Province’s capitol of Xining, as well as many other major regional cities such as Beijing (East China), Shanghai (East China), Guangzhou (South China), and Chengdu (Southwest China).
In other words, the railway will change the future of Tibet. Auto traffic has been one of the major obstacles blocking the economic development of Tibet, the only provincial-level region without a single inch of operating rail track, but occupies close to one-eighth of China’s total territory.
Pluses and minuses
Chinese authorities foresee vast economic development in the region. The more enjoyable, easier train system will make it effortless and attractive for millions of tourists from all over the world to reach Tibet.
It will clearly affect the climbing community by further enabling access and increased traffic to the Himalayan region north of Nepal – or at any rate, just east of it, to Lhasa. How the individual members of the climbing community choose to feel about that is obviously a personal decision.
However, some climbers and travelers have already voiced their warnings against the uncontrolled, foreseeable ‘modernization’ of Tibet, fearing a compromise to the rich and pure Tibetan culture.
An unfortunate, immediate impact
Some months ago, the media picked up the news of a macro-disco being installed by the old town gates of Lhasa, at the feet of Potala (the magnificent monastery). The continuous vibrations produced by the sound blast were apparently damaging the architectonic masterpiece.
Not to mention the impact it will have on pollution. At least the train itself will be a ‘clean’ means of transportation. It will be the land development, sadly, that will hurt the air quality of Tibet.
Crossing our fingers
It may take some time and care from the Chinese government to find a balance between desirable economic development and the preservation of the Tibetan cultural heritage. Let’s at least hope it does.
Live image of Potala courtesy of Diego Azubel
|
|
Feature Stories |
|
Latest News |
more news |
 |
Everest Supercouloir: "What is a summit compared to a friend's lif
Full Story
|
 |
Mystery Chopper's Utopia summit - VIDEO
Full Story
|
 |
Annapurna South: "It was such a great climb"
Full Story
|
 |
ExWeb Special report: The Ropes and Summit Push on Everest...
Full Story
|
 |
Real men
Full Story
|
 |
Christian Kuntner - a mountaineering legend is gone
Full Story
|
 |
14 x 8000: Ed Viesturs joins the world's most exclusive...
Full Story
|
 |
ExWeb Special: Ed Viesturs "I still have peaks that I want...
Full Story
|
|
|
| Andrew Lock on Annapurna tragedy: "I wanted to keep on climbing" Jun 6, 2005 | | Gabriel Filippi and Sean Egan's soul, together on the summit of Everest Jun 6, 2005 | | "Supermom" Monica Kalozdi update: Everest Summit and hard descent Jun 5, 2005 | | Robert Milne dies during summit push Everest South Jun 5, 2005 | | Grania Willis summits Everest this morning Jun 5, 2005 | | ExplorersWeb Week-In-Review Jun 5, 2005 | | Himex summit - Update from climber Jun 4, 2005 | | No Mountain top too high, my Love Jun 4, 2005 | | Jagged Globe team summits again! Jun 4, 2005 | | More summits for DCXP/Project Himalaya this morning Jun 4, 2005 |
| | End of season... Jun 4, 2005 | | Ranulph Fiennes turns back on Everest Jun 3, 2005 |
|
|
|
|
2004
BEST of EXPLORERSWEB
|
|
|
|
