High Peaks Pure Earth translates a series of tweets and a blog post written by poet and writer Woeser during her recent travels in Tibet. They describe the environmental impact of resource extraction, the organisation of political protest, and one monastery’s attempts to preserve Tibetan language.
I’ve been travelling through Eastern Tibet (modern-day Kardze prefecture in Sichuan Province). Where there are mountains, they’re digging mines; where there are rivers, they’re building hydroelectric stations; and where there are mountains and rivers, they’re digging mines and building hydroelectric stations. One of the locals told me that the officials, from high to low, are selling whatever there is in Kardze that can be sold: the development rights for the Zachu River have already been sold to the Huaneng [Power] Company.
A large-scale hydroelectric station is being built on the road between Dartsedo and Luding, with appalling results for the environment. The locals are already calling Luding a time-bomb.
According to reports, on the 29th [July] Tibetans in Kardze were arrested when they once more took to the streets shouting slogans for the Dalai Lama’s return. The Tibetans adopted the method of drawing lots to see who would go out on the streets to shout slogans and distribute leaflets. As for those who might be arrested, once they were detained the other Tibetans would furnish assistance to their families for their livelihoods. Since June more than 60 Tibetans have been arrested for this form of resistance.
