Congratulations, and gratitude too, to the authorities of Lhoka prefecture of the Tibet autonomous region.

Their decision to ban a planned cruise service that was due to begin operations at the end of the month on the Yamzhog Yumco, one of China's "sacred lakes", will be of tremendous benefit to the conservation of the fragile local ecological system.

People in Tibet have every right to enjoy better lives, and tourism has great potential. People swarm to the "land of snow" on the roof of the world not just because of its culture, but also its spectacular landscape. The lakes there, Yamzhog Yumco, in particular, are not only attractive spots for sightseeing, but also of special significance in the local culture.