Tibet gets tougher in environment protection

Tibet has rolled out stricter environment protection plans for the next five years, an official said on Saturday.

Tibetan officials will be audited in natural resources management and those whose decisions lead to environmental damages will be punished, said Norgyel, director of Tibetan Environment Protection Department.

Currently, about 70 percent of the land in the region have been banned from any forms of exploitation or allowed for only development in a restricted way, Xinhua news agency reported.

For years, Tibet has been banning the entry of iron and steel, chemical and paper-making industries. Meanwhile, it is boosting the growth of ecological tourism and cultural development.

"We are making action plans for clean air, water and soil. At the same time, we will ramp up inspection," Norgyel said.