With an average altitude of about 4,000 meters, the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in southwestern China is a unique geographical region. It is the source of the major rivers of China, South Asia and Southeast Asia, home to important species and biological diversity, the adjuster of climate change and a great provider of ecological security. Yet all these traits, along with its cold temperature, make the ecological environment of the plateau extremely vulnerable.

The ecological environment of the plateau has improved since the 1980s despite increasing human activities. Since the 1990s, the plateau's vegetation and ecological functions have grown further, and forested areas increased.

The plateau's biological diversity has been well protected, according to data from local authorities. The Tibet autonomous region has established 47 natural conservation areas, which cover 34 percent of the region and is cumulatively the largest in the country in terms of acreage. The conservation areas in the region are protecting 125 rare wild animals listed into State protection, as well as help the ecosystem function naturally and ensure the sustainable use of biological resources.