Pastoralism and Rangeland Management on the Tibetan Plateau in ...

Nyainqentanglha Mountains. As an inl<strong>and</strong> lake, it has an elevation of 4,718
m <strong>and</strong> a circumference of about 318 km. The lakeside area has a relatively flat
topography, with a rich variety of vegetation. The main types of vegetation
include the Stipa purpurea steppe, Kobresia meadow of Northern Tibet, sedge
of Qinghai–Tibet, alpine shrubs, alpine sparse vegetation, <strong>and</strong> alpine Kobresia
meadow. Bears, wild yaks, blue sheep <strong>and</strong> other wildlife live around the lake,
<strong>and</strong> plateau fish such as Qinling lenok <strong>and</strong> Gymnocypris przewalskii, fish without
scales, live in the lake.
To the south <strong>and</strong> east of Namtso rises the Gangdise-Nyainqentanglha Mountains.
To the northwest of the lake lies a broad plain, where you can find more
than one gravel-dominated terrace. Among them st<strong>and</strong> many isolated residual
hills. At the south coast, there is the Tashi Multi Peninsula. At the northern tip
of the peninsula st<strong>and</strong> two groups of limestone hills. The one in the southeast
is called Duoqing, with an elevation of 4,920 m. The western hills are called
Duoqiong, with an altitude of 4,852 m. At the northeast coast, there is a flowershaped
peninsula, composed of three smaller isl<strong>and</strong>s visited mainly by birds.
Another core attraction of the NSA is the Nyainqentanglha Mountains, spanning
across the entire scenic area from east to west. The altitude of the peak
of the Nyainqentanglha Mountains is 7117 m. The majestic <strong>and</strong> spectacular
mountain is described as one of the most splendid mountains of the Tibetan
Plateau. It is one of the most famous <strong>and</strong> sacred mountains in Tibet <strong>and</strong> is
considered to be one of the nine indigenous mountain gods in Tibetan mythology.
It is also one of the nine gods who created the world, which are widely
worshiped by the pastoralists in northern Tibet. It is revered as the patron saint
in charge of wealth <strong>and</strong> controlling hailstorms. The people who live in the 360
snow-capped mountains around the main peak are symbolically regarded as its
subjects.
1.1 Advantage of the Namtso Scenic Area
1.1.1 Tourism resources
The Namtso Scenic Area has a vast <strong>and</strong> magnificent highl<strong>and</strong> lake, majestic
snow-capped mountains, <strong>and</strong> towering glaciers <strong>and</strong> rare <strong>and</strong> unique plateau
geothermal resources, forming a complete ecosystem. It has both high scientific
value <strong>and</strong> in addition there is the value of the l<strong>and</strong>scape beauty. The rich cultural
heritage <strong>and</strong> natural l<strong>and</strong>scape blend to form colourful scenery. It has become
one of the most rapidly developing tourist attractions of the Tibet Autonomous
Region. On December 28, 2009, it was officially included in the seventh batch
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> > > 3. Eco-tourism <strong>and</strong> Nature Protection in Relation to <strong>Pastoralism</strong> <strong>and</strong> Rangel<strong>and</strong> <strong>Management</strong>