Dalai Lama in warning over Tibet glaciers

THE Dalai Lama has voiced concerns that the glaciers of Tibet are retreating faster than those in any other part of the world.

The Tibetan spiritual leader called for special attention to be paid to ecology in Tibet, adding "it's something very, very essential."

The glaciers are considered to be vital lifelines for Asian rivers, including the Indus and the Ganges. Once they vanish, water supplies in those regions will be in peril. The Dalai Lama was quoting recent studies by Chinese environmental experts.

He said that India should be seriously concerned about the melting of glaciers in the Tibetan plateau as millions of Indians use water that comes from there.

The Dalai Lama, was speaking at the centenary celebrations of India's former President R Venkataraman in New Delhi.

It comes after a rare US government mission to Tibet recommended the US work with China for the economic development and cultural preservation of the region, which was wracked by anti-Beijing riots three years ago.

The delegation also said Washington should keep urging Beijing to reconcile with Buddhist leader the Dalai Lama, and other exiled Tibetans.

"There are steps that the United States can take that might not only bring direct benefits to the Tibetan people, but also begin to build a foundation of trust between Washington and Beijing on Tibetan affairs," the report by the senate foreign relations committee said.

The US currently funds some American non-governmental aid groups working in Tibetan regions, allotting $8 million for the purpose in 2009. Joint projects with China would be new, although the mission is not proposing direct US funding to the Chinese government.

Washington's relations with Beijing have often been strained by American criticism of China's human rights record and US engagement with the Dalai Lama, who has lived in exile in northern India since a failed Tibetan uprising against Chinese rule in 1959.

The Dalai Lama recently announced he would resign from politics and make way for an elected leader, suggesting it could make easier negotiations between Tibetan exiles and Beijing that have made little headway.

Beijing accuses the Dalai Lama of seeking to separate Tibet from China, despite his claims to be working only for a high degree of autonomy under Chinese rule.

The four-member delegation of staff from the senate committee travelled to Tibet last September and released its report on Tuesday.

The delegation last visited Tibet in 2002. It said permission for the visit reflected growing confidence among Chinese authorities that conditions in Tibet have stabilised since 2008 riots in the capital, Lhasa.