Launched in 2021, the afforestation project in the northern and southern mountains of Lhasa, Xizang autonomous region, aims to turn the plateau city area into a greener, more ecologically friendly and livable place. [Photo by Palden Nyima/chinadaily.com.cn]

The afforestation project undertaken over the last three years has resulted in the planting of 86 million more seedlings of various types on more than 34,000 hectares on mountains near Lhasa, Xizang autonomous region, environmental authorities said on Sunday.

Launched in 2021 as the first large-scale ecological restoration effort in Xizang, the project is also important for people's livelihoods and promotes the well-being of all ethnic groups in the region.

The afforestation project — in the northern and southern mountains of Lhasa — covers nine counties and districts and 35 townships around Lhasa and Lhokha, stretching nearly 200 kilometers from east to west.

Launched in 2021, the afforestation project in the northern and southern mountains of Lhasa, Xizang autonomous region, aims to turn the plateau city area into a greener, more ecologically friendly and livable place. [Photo by Palden Nyima/chinadaily.com.cn]

With a planned duration of 10 years, investment is expected to be more than 27.86 billion yuan ($3.9 billion), with a planned greening area of more than 137,000 hectares by 2030.

Li Baoping, an official of the Lhasa Forestry and Grassland Bureau, said the project aims to turn the capital city and its surrounding area into a greener, more ecologically friendly and livable place.

He said the greening project is divided into two phases — near-term and long-term. The near-term phase covers the 2021-25 period, focusing on urban mountain greening below an altitude of 4,300 meters, with key road greening and visible area greening along the main channel of the Lhasa River.

The long-term phase will run from 2026 to 2030 and aims to complete greening projects in other areas and related facilities. It will also work to strengthen the management of previous greening projects.

"Over the past three years, the project has created employment opportunities for local residents, whose average daily wage ranges from 230 to 280 yuan per person," he said. "Additionally, the project has helped the masses increase their incomes by 1.93 billion yuan."

Launched in 2021, the afforestation project in the northern and southern mountains of Lhasa, Xizang autonomous region, aims to turn the plateau city area into a greener, more ecologically friendly and livable place. [Photo by Palden Nyima/chinadaily.com.cn]

Launched in 2021, the afforestation project in the northern and southern mountains of Lhasa, Xizang autonomous region, aims to turn the plateau city area into a greener, more ecologically friendly and livable place. [Photo by Palden Nyima/chinadaily.com.cn]

Launched in 2021, the afforestation project in the northern and southern mountains of Lhasa, Xizang autonomous region, aims to turn the plateau city area into a greener, more ecologically friendly and livable place. [Photo by Palden Nyima/chinadaily.com.cn]