The reflection of the powder blue sky shimmers in the clear water of the vast, pristine Yamdrok Lake, a holy site to Tibetan Buddhists. The reflection of the powder blue sky shimmers in the clear water of the vast, pristine Yamdrok Lake, a holy site to Tibetan Buddhists. Prayer flags flutter constantly in the wind. The lake is also at the centre of a dispute between the Chinese authorities, Tibetans and environmental campaigners over Beijing's construction of a hydroelectric plant at the site, some 75 miles south-west of Lhasa, the Tibetan capital. Critics charge that the Yamdrok Tso hydroelectric station will pollute the lake and lower its water level.
Chinese officials say they are using the latest Western technology to guarantee the lake's ecology.
Yamdrok Tso symbolizes a much wider debate on the economic future of Tibet. Government authorities say they want to modernize a largely backward, agricultural society. Exiles demanding independence for Tibet say they want to protect the area's traditional culture, religion and environment. For centuries Tibetans survived as subsistence farmers and nomadic herders. Tibetan Buddhists believe that lakes and mountains are holy, so many will not engage in mining or other occupations that despoil the earth.