DHARAMSHALA: The final phase of the talk series on the environmental and developmental issues in the Tibetan schools in northern India received enthusiastic response from both the students and teachers, researchers conducting the talks said.

Two researchers from the Environment and Development Desk of the Central Tibetan Administration, Ms Chokyi and Mr Tempa Gyaltsen Zamlha, imparted information on Tibet’s current environmental issues to students of higher secondary schools of Central School for Tibetan (CST) Dalhousie, Dholanji and Shimla from 28 June and 2 July.

Meanwhile, two other researchers, Jigme Norbu and Dhondup Dolma Bhartso, gave talks at Tibet Homes Foundation, Mussoorie, TCV School at Selakui, CST Herbertpur, Sambhota Tibetan Schools at Paonta Sahib and Puruwala from 27 June – 2 July.

The researchers touched upon a wide array of issues impacting the lives of the Tibetan people inside Tibet and the neighbouring Asian countries. Some of the topics include climate change on the Tibetan plateau, damming rivers in Tibet, resettlement of nomads, grassland degradation, resource exploitation (mining) and wildlife.  Documentary films on Tibet were also screened.

The students raise important questions as to how can we, apart from our environmental campaigns, prevent the Chinese government from destroying Tibet’s environment.

The students raise concern about why isn’t the Chinese government diverting water from East China Sea instead of Tibetan rivers to the northern part of China. And why is the temperature rise on Tibetan Plateau twice the global average.

Writing to TibetNet website on how talks proceeded at the Central School for Tibetans in Dalhousie and Dholanji, Ms Chokyi said, ‘When the talks are over, we left the school with a sense of joy at how well the students of this school are aware of many facts. It was also a joyful moment to see their alertness with constant nod and thoughtful questions.”

Ms Chokyi said that the teachers of the school are both helpful and appreciative of our awareness programme on Tibet’s crucial environmental issues.

In a separate e-mail message to TibetNet, Ms Dhondup Dolma Bhartso said: “We would like to thank all the school administrators and their team for making the programme very successful and meaningful as well.”

The talk series on Tibet’s environment is part of an awareness programme jointly organised by the Department of Information and International Relations and the Education Department in commemorating the 75th birth anniversary of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.