Tenzin Nyidon
DHARAMSHALA, March 26: Tibetan residents in Markham County, in the traditional Kham province in eastern Tibet, have voiced grave concerns over large-scale mining operations conducted by the Chinese government, according to a report by Radio Free Asia.
Mining activities have been carried out in the mountainous terrain of Tsonga Township since August 7, 2020, leading to severe ecological degradation. Three Tibetan sources speaking to RFA confirmed that the widespread extraction of minerals has triggered a surge in environmental crises, including heightened risks of floods and landslides, extensive deforestation, degradation of soil quality, the displacement of livestock, and the barrenness of agricultural land.
Despite repeated pleas from local Tibetans urging a halt to the mining, authorities have dismissed their concerns, citing official government permits and asserting state ownership of the land, effectively stripping residents of any decision-making power. Although operations were momentarily suspended earlier this month, mining has since resumed, prompting Tibetans to convene meetings and appeal to local officials. However, instead of addressing these grievances, authorities have responded with threats of arrest against those opposing the extraction.
Formal complaints detailing the environmental and economic devastation have been consistently ignored due to alleged collusion between Markham County officials and Chinese government-backed mining enterprises. In a desperate bid for intervention, community elders gathered at government offices, weeping and imploring for action—yet their appeals have been met with indifference.
A video shared by a Tibetan source on social media documented the scale of destruction and the residents’ desperate calls for help. However, the footage was swiftly erased from Chinese government-controlled platforms. The video revealed that approximately 1,730 residents of Tsonga Township, whose livelihoods as herders and farmers are under existential threat, are facing a dire situation.
It was further alleged in the video that the mining operations, facilitated through corrupt dealings between Chinese business elites and local leadership, have bypassed environmental regulations. While Tibetan residents face a fine of 500 yuan for cutting down a single tree, large-scale deforestation linked to mining activities continues unchecked. Echoing these concerns, Tibetan netizens took to the comment section of the video to lament the worsening crisis. One user noted that at least 22 livestock had perished in the region’s worsening floods, while others described farmlands and pastures being swallowed by mudslides, rendering grazing impossible.
Many Tibetans have voiced frustration over the failure of local leadership to support their community. Despite pledging to protect residents, leaders in Tsonga township have neglected their responsibilities. As a result, many feel abandoned by their own authorities, leaving them isolated and powerless. Many have accused local officials of prioritizing business interests over the well-being of the people.
