Tibet vows to put ecology over growth

"Nyingchi won't open up any mine or allow any business that may harm our forests," he said.

Qi Zhala, the chairman, said the ecosystem on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is extremely vulnerable, and that its health can even affect the global environment.

Tibet banned ordinary tourists entering the core zone of the Qomolangma National Nature Reserve in December after holding several meetings discussing how to deal with litter left behind by the growing number of tourists, said Wu Yingjie, the region's Party secretary.