China's chief economic planner on Friday announced that the country aims to revive the degraded pasture and harness rat pest in Tibet by 2030.

It is the government's latest goal in the fight against global climate change and to protect the ecology of Tibet, which covers more than 1.2 million square kilometers.

The State Council, China's Cabinet, approved on Wednesday a plan to protect the environment in southwest Tibet. 

Average temperatures in Tibet rose by 0.32 degrees centigrade every 10 years from 1961 to 2007, quicker than the global and national warming rates, according to the statement.

"The plan also aims at curbing soil erosion, safeguarding biological diversity in Tibet, and promoting the use of clean energy in rural areas," the statement read.

The government would push forward the use of hydropower electricity, methane, and solar power in rural Tibet, according to the statement.

"Projects, including natural grassland protection, forest fire prevention, wetland protection, growing forest shelter belts against gales and storms, pasture protection against desertification, will be carried out," said the statement.

(Xinhua News Agency February 21, 2009)