BEIJING, Oct 11 (CEIS) -- The State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA) is going to assess protection of ecosystems at the construction sites of the Qinghai-Tibet railway, China Daily reports on September 19.

    "For protection of the vegetation along the railway line, we required that earth excavation for construction be carried out at least 500 meters from the railway lines," said Zhu Xingxiang, head of the administration's Department of Environmental Impact Assessment, adding  "Every piece of vegetation removed must be replaced."

    The other problem concerning SEPA is whether or not the freedom of migration of Tibetan antelopes will be influenced.

    Special passageways for the migration of Tibetan antelopes and wild yaks have been designed and built. And passengers will see some signs along the railway reminding them about the wildlife.

    "We will also check the infrastructure construction of pollution control and prevention mechanisms," Zhu said.

    The Qinghai-Tibet Railway, the highest railway in the world, is built on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in northwestern China. The plateau is the place of origin of the country's five major river systems - the Yellow River, Yangtze River, Lancang River, Nujiang River and Yarlung Zangbo River, and also home to some rare wildlife species such as Tibetan antelope, wild ass and snow leopard.

    Construction of the railway from Golmud in Qinghai Province, to Lhasa, capital of Tibet, began on June 29, 2001.    Enditem