The comprehensive development project of the "three rivers" regions, which is launched on an unprecedented scale, has greatly benefited more than 800,000 peasants and herdsmen in the snowy plateau as well as enormously promoted the increases of farming, animal husbandry and the income level of peasants and herdsmen in the development zone and the whole Tibet Autonomous Region.

According to statistics, the per-capita net income of residents in the development zone who account for over 30 percent of the population of the Autonomous Region, has surged to 1457.7 yuan last year from the 602 yuan in 1990, 200 yuan higher than the per-capita net income of the residents of the whole Autonomous Region in 1999.

The 18 counties in the midstream valley of the Yarlung Zangbo River and its two tributaries--the Lhasa and Nyainchu rivers, which enjoy a favorable geographic position, a relatively concentrated population, a high level of science and technology and better infrastructure facilities, are the main grain and edible oil crop production bases. To promote the economic development of the whole region, the Comprehensive Development Project of the "Three Rivers" of Tibet Autonomous Region was listed as a key construction project in the national eighth Five-Year Plan and 10-year program in 1991. The largest scale of comprehensive development of farming and animal husbandry was thereupon unfolded in the snowy plateau along the Yarlung Zangbo River.

In the past nine years, the comprehensive development project of the "three rivers" has entailed the launch of a total of 182 development items including the popularization of agricultural scientific experiment demonstration, improved breeding of cattle and sheep, fattening of animals and prevention and control of desertification. These items were carried out by stage and by group, covering such areas as agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, water conservancy, industry, energy, transportation, and science and technology and involved a total investment of 0.9 billion yuan. The project pays attention to both breadth and depth and takes water conservancy as the lead. Overall treatment to mountains, water, forestry, land and roads has been carried out with over 300,000 mu (15 mu=1 hectare) of low-yield land being improved. It has established more than 40,000 mu of fine breed bases, newly set up or rebuilt 22 agricultural technology spreading stations and domestic animal epidemic prevention stations, and improved the breed of more than 60,000 cattle. It has newly constructed or rebuilt nine reservoirs, more than 1000 kilometers of main channels and branches, and 300 kilometers of roads. It has built two bridges above the Yarlung Zangbo River and four hydropower stations at county level and increased the irrigated area by over 400,000 mu. Land with high, stable yields has been developed as a result of the implementation of comprehensive measures, management and development.

The region of the "three rivers" made persistent efforts in strengthening forestation, conserving water and preventing soil erosion so as to expedite the virtuous circle of the ecological environment. According to statistics, by the end of last year, the development zone had planted 240,000 mu of forest and grown more than 80,000 mu of man-made lawn. The sand beach of Yarlung Zangbo river banks which used to be regarded as "forbidden zone of plantation" now has become oasis in the plateau.

After nine years' efforts, the comprehensive development project of the "three rivers" has succeeded in exploring a pattern of "grain production-agricultural comprehensive development-ecological environment protection-overall economic development", which has produced great economic benefits. Sources show that the grain yield, rapeseed and meat output grew up respectively from 345,000 tons, 11,900 tons and 14,500 in 1999 to 518,700 tons, 28,400 tons and 27,800 tons last year, with respective increases standing at 50 percent, 139 percent and 92 percent. Under the impetus from the development zone, the farming and husbandry economy of other areas in Tibet has also seen a good momentum of healthy development. Tibet reaped the 12th good harvest last year.