Dear Friends of Tibet, Thank you for the endless hours of work that you have contributed towards a free Tibet. There have been several victories in the past year and much of the credit can be attributed to the strong support networks and the dedication of so many around the world.
Water is a basic necessity of life.
As you may know, Tibet is the source of ten major rivers, which flow through eleven different nations. Although these rivers provide drinking water for millions, irrigation for crops - which feed millions, and habitats for millions of wildlife, severe threats loom over the existence and health of these major rivers. Detrimental actions and policies by the Chinese government in Tibet have led to floods in downstream countries and unsafe water throughout China. Environmental havoc near the rivers' sources has implications that stretch across the lands of Tibet, reach from Pakistan to Vietnam through waterways and still further by air, and can be seen in the eyes of poisoned children and over flooded country sides. The Environment and Development Desk is proposing an international conference that would allow discussions on the present and future conditions of these major Asian rivers.