Trees struggle for survival in Tibet

Army technician's planting efforts yield success and growing reputation

Trees are something of a rarity in the Tibet autonomous region. Conditions on the high-altitude plateau of the Nagqu Grassland - 4,500 meters above sea level - are not conducive to their growth, except for a few places in eastern Nagqu prefecture.

Many of the nomads who inhabit the area had seldom seen a tree in their life until recently, when the remote places of the region were linked by roads and modern communications.