News

Tibet promotes forage grass planting to protect grassland ecology

Published

4 years ago

May 18, 2022

By Chungda Drolkar, People’s Daily

In recent years, southwest China’s Tibet autonomous region has promoted forage grass planting projects across the region to alleviate problems threatening grassland ecological security caused by the conflict between grassland ecology and livestock farming.

Located in a high-altitude cold area, Tibet boasts vast expanses of natural grassland. Grassland animal husbandry is a basic industry on which local farmers and herdsmen reply for survival and development.

Due to long-term overgrazing as well as factors including high altitude, cold climate, and drought, grassland in Tibet had low yield and recovered slowly from degradation in the past. A lot of grasslands in some parts of the region suffered from varying degrees of degradation and saw their ecological functions weakened and productivity reduced.

Grass planting projects in the region have accelerated the transformation and upgrading of the local animal husbandry industry, achieving good ecological and economic benefits while easing the environmental pressure on grassland resources.

Nagqu city of Tibet is a major producing area of livestock in the region. Although the city has a large area of grassland, it sits at a high elevation and its ecological environment is quite fragile.

In an effort to improve the situation, the municipal government of Nagqu has made continuous efforts to encourage the introduction of high-quality forage grass species and varieties suitable for alpine and cold pastoral areas.

Over the past more than 10 years, Nagqu has introduced more than 100 varieties of forage grass from both inside and outside Tibet and selected 19 varieties suitable for different areas of the city. In 2021, it promoted the planting of high-quality and high-yielding oat grass varieties on more than 50,000 mu (about 3,333 hectares) of contiguous land and the planting of 46,000 mu of forage grass around people’s homes.

“I didn’t expect to succeed in planting grass at such a high altitude. Oats here have an average plant height of 1.5 meters, with some reaching as high as 1.7 meters,” said Yan Jun, a technician with Nagqu grassland station.

According to Yan, last year, the grassland station created a grass planting model featuring full mechanization and regionalization in Nyima county of Nagqu city, speeding up the transformation and upgrading of grassland animal husbandry and grassland restoration of the city..

In Nyerutod township, Kangmar county, Shigatse city of Tibet, workers are busy growing forage grass at a planting base covering an area of 10,000 mu.

“We will continue planting alfalfa, oat grass, and green wheatgrass this year,” said Karma Tendar, mayor of Nyerutod township.

During the past six years, the township has created 23,000 mu of grass planting bases and developed the sheep farming industry and grass pellet production line that are closely related to them, said the town mayor.

Li Xin, manager of a local forage grass planting cooperative, told People’s Daily that the cooperative plans to increase the added value of forage grass by making full use of green hay to produce pellet feed.

“Not only are our sheep and cattle well fed, but our village becomes more beautiful,” said a 66-year-old villager named Lhundrup, who is gratified by the good changes brought by grass planting projects.

So far, the total area of lands reserved for planting grass across Tibet has reached 1.57 million mu. To scientifically evaluate the results of those grass planting efforts, the remote sensing application research center of Tibet has selected 153 typical plots from 1,066 planted grasslands in the region to carry out monitoring, analysis, and evaluation with the help of high-precision remote-sensing image data. As the results showed, most of the planted grasslands grow much better than natural ones.

Tibet is currently troubled by environmental problems such as grassland degradation, sandification, and desertification. Planted grasslands provide clear benefits over natural ones in grass yield and quality, resistance to natural disturbance, regional water and soil conservation, and ensuring stable resources of forage grass.

Research showed that the surface runoff and erosion of lands with turf are 47 percent and 77 percent less compared to those without turf.

Planted grass grows fast, and large-scale planting can effectively reduce combat wind erosion and soil sandification.

“Planted grasslands allow natural ones to be rehabilitated and play prominent roles in guaranteeing the production and quality of forage grass, resisting natural disturbance, and regional water and soil conservation,” said Bian Duo, head of the remote sensing application research center of Tibet.

The center is going to intensify efforts to monitor planted grasslands by leveraging remote-sensing technology, according to Bian.

“We will conduct evaluations of climate suitability before grass is planted so as to avoid irrational decision-making and make sure grass is planted according to needs and that every plant generates expected ecological and economic benefits,” Bian added.

News

“Nigeria’s Biggest Ever Coalition, Civil Groups, Professionals, Labour, Artisans, Declare for Bola Tinubu”

Published

5 days ago

April 14, 2026

milcah

In what is being described as an unprecedented political development ahead of the 2027 general elections, a broad-based national coalition cutting across civil society organisations, professional bodies, labour groups, artisan associations, and other grassroots networks has announced plans to formally endorse President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in office.

The coalition, spearheaded by the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria, COCSON, now extends far beyond the traditional civic space, bringing together over 1,500 groups from diverse sectors of the Nigerian society. Participants include human rights organisations, medical and legal professionals, trade and artisan unions, community-based organisations, and influential labour leaders, reflecting a wide national spread and multi-sectoral backing.

The historic convention is scheduled to hold on May 17, 2026, where leaders and representatives of the various groups are expected to converge in what organisers say will be the largest endorsement gathering in Nigeria’s history. The event will serve as the official platform for the coalition to collectively declare support for President Tinubu’s re-election bid.

In a major demonstration of grassroots mobilisation, the coalition also revealed plans to submit a compiled total of 20 million signatures of Nigerians who have endorsed the President’s candidacy. The signatures, gathered through extensive nationwide engagement, are being positioned as a clear indication of public support cutting across regions, professions, and social strata.

Organisers of the event stated that the decision to back President Tinubu is driven by what they described as tangible strides in economic reforms, governance, and national stability. They emphasised that the inclusion of non-traditional actors such as artisans, market groups, and labour unions underscores a broader national consensus that transcends the usual civil society framework.

Political analysts say the scale and diversity of this coalition mark a significant shift in Nigeria’s political landscape, where support structures are no longer confined to political parties and elite stakeholders but are increasingly driven by a fusion of grassroots and professional constituencies.

As momentum builds towards the May 17 convention, observers are keenly watching how this expansive alliance will shape political narratives and influence voter sentiment in the lead-up to the 2027 elections.

Further details on the convention and breakdown of participating groups are expected to be unveiled in the coming days.

News

How ISWAP killed Army Col. Six others in Borno.

Published

6 days ago

April 14, 2026

Our Reporter

☆☆☆As Troops Foil Series of Ambushes.

Troops of the Nigerian Army under operation Hadin Kai have foiled a series of ambush by suspected members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (I SWAP) terrorist along the Monguno in Borno state.

Islamic state of West Africa province (ISWAP) have attacked the Nigerian army from Monguno 242 Battion Barrack in Borno State on their way to reinforce the camp.

A serving Nigerian Army Colonel was reportedly killed in an ambush by insurgents in Monguno, Borno State, during a reinforcement mission

Source added said that colonel I.A. Muhammad was ambushed by ISWAP and killed along with four other soldiers.

Community confirmed that the troops who were on a fighting patrol as part of operation,came under fire from suspected terrorists

As of the time of felling this report, there has been no official statements from the Nigerian Army regarding the accident.

News

Dogara Felicitates Dangote at 69, Applauds His Enduring Impact on Africa

Published

1 week ago

April 11, 2026

milcah

Hon. Yakubu Dogara, former Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chairman of the Credit Guarantee Company Limited (NCGC), has joined Nigerians and the global business community in celebrating Alhaji Aliko Dangote on his 69th birthday. In a detailed tribute, Dogara described Dangote as “a visionary whose life’s work has become a cornerstone of Africa’s economic transformation.”

Dogara emphasized that Dangote’s entrepreneurial journey is one of resilience and foresight. From humble beginnings, he built the Dangote Group into Africa’s largest conglomerate, with investments spanning cement, sugar, salt, fertilizers, and the landmark Dangote Refinery. These ventures, Dogara noted, have not only revolutionized industries but also created millions of jobs, strengthened Nigeria’s economy, and reduced dependence on imports. “Alhaji Dangote is not just an entrepreneur; he is a nation-builder whose vision has redefined what is possible for Nigeria and Africa,” Dogara said.

He pointed out that the Dangote Refinery, in particular, represents a turning point in Nigeria’s energy sector, offering the promise of self-sufficiency in petroleum products and positioning the country as a major player in global energy markets. “This singular achievement underscores his commitment to solving Africa’s most pressing challenges through bold and innovative solutions,” Dogara remarked.

Beyond his industrial empire, Dogara praised Dangote’s philanthropy through the Dangote Foundation, which has invested heavily in healthcare, education, and humanitarian relief. From building hospitals and funding scholarships to providing aid during crises, Dangote’s generosity has touched countless lives across the continent. “His philanthropy reflects a deep commitment to humanity. He has shown that true greatness lies not only in building industries but also in uplifting lives,” Dogara added.

Dogara also reflected on the inspirational power of Dangote’s story, stressing that his rise from modest beginnings to global prominence serves as a beacon of hope for young Africans. “His journey proves that with hard work, faith, and determination, Africans can build enterprises that rival the best in the world. He remains a shining example of African excellence,” he concluded.

As Dangote celebrates his 69th birthday, his legacy continues to resonate far beyond Nigeria’s borders. His life stands as a testament to the transformative power of vision, enterprise, and compassion—an enduring reminder that Africa’s future can be defined by innovation, resilience, and generosity